The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1468055
JUNE / JULY 2022 THE WOLVERINE 27 2022 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE in the On3 rankings (and No. 31 in the On3 Consensus) in less than a year. This makes him one of the most improved players nationally in the class of 2022. Shaw saw enough to name him "Best Big" in the Iverson practice sessions, a group that included some of the na- tion's best. "The work Tarris Reed has put in this season has been nothing short of im- pressive," Shaw reported. "The 6-9 post player has trimmed his frame to a sleek 245 pounds. He has excellent hands with a soft touch over both shoulders. "Reed did not let the length and quick-twitch of [five-star] Kel'el Ware bother him here, as time and time again he finished from five feet with a soft jump hook. He is an excellent rebounder, stepped out and knocked down catch-and-shoot threes, and he showed some explosion at the rim." He's got it all, in fact, to the point that he could be playing in the NBA down the road, Shaw said. Reed was reportedly in the 100th percentile in transition offensive efficiency this year — incredible for a guy his size — and ran the floor extremely well. He'd nail a trail three when defenses collapsed in transition, and when they didn't, he'd often get to the post and use his array of moves to finish. He's a throwback, of sorts, and a per- fect fit for Juwan Howard and Michigan. He admitted as much to reporters after the Iverson Classic. "Player development. Playing for Coach Howard, being in the NBA, play- ing my position — knowing what to do, knowing what it's like," Reed said in ex- plaining his decision. "Playing for him will help me get to that next level." He saw it for himself at a practice on his official visit, in the stands when Howard was working one-on-one with his big men. He'd heard how the head coach was hands-on, but seeing it for himself helped Michigan move past Ohio State and others to land him. In doing so, the Wolverines got one of the top big men in the 2022 class, Shaw believes. "He can rebound; he knows his role," he said. "He's a low maintenance guy, and he can also shoot it. He's one of those guys that, in the future, might go to the NBA as an undrafted free agent or late in the second round and just stick for 10 years. … He can go right shoulder, left shoulder and finish through con- tact. He's going to be a really, really good college player. "He's also got toughness to him. He doesn't care if he gets dunked on — he's going to challenge shots, throw some elbows, do all that kind of stuff. He's kind of like the [former 1990s New York Knicks big man] Charles Oakleys of the world back then, that type of make-up." Reed will need to work on his lateral movement and continue his develop- ment athletically to become a plus de- fender, but Michigan assistant coach Phil Martelli sees no issue there. Like most of Howard's recruits, Reed is de- termined and has a one-track mind when it comes to his future. "He's another guy I think you're going to have to lock the doors to not let him get in there and work out all the time," Martelli said. "He's one of those 'gym rats.'" Before transferring to Link Year Prep for his senior season, Reed averaged 21.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game as a junior at St. Louis Chaminade High. Reed and incoming freshman wing Jett Howard have already developed a friendship. They both played in the Jor- dan Brand Classic and the Iverson Clas- sic, but on opposite teams. Reed and Howard can't wait to get to Ann Arbor to help Michigan win games. It's "never a bad thing" when Juwan Howard lands a big man to coach, Shaw said. The proof is in the bigs he's developed not only at U-M, but also during his time as an assistant with the Miami Heat. Odds are Reed will become his latest success story, and there's mutual ex- citement to get started. Martelli might have put it best in de- scribing him. "Tarris Reed — he's a Michigan big man, right?" he said. "He just fits." And he should provide immediate help in the frontcourt for a team that expects to contend for a Big Ten title. ❏ Jamie Shaw, On3 national basketball recruiting analyst "He can go right shoulder, left shoulder and finish through contact. He's going to be a really, really good college player. He's also got a toughness to him." Reed transferred from St. Louis Chaminade to Branson (Mo.) Link Year Prep and stepped up his game against a higher level of competition in his senior year. In the Jordan Brand Classic all-star game on April 15, he grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds (along with 8 points, 2 steals and 1 assist) in just 23 minutes of action. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY