Former Michigan forward Tarris Reed Jr. commits to UConn

HARTFORD, Conn. — Former University of Michigan big man Tarris Reed Jr. has committed to the UConn men’s basketball program for next season.

Reed, a 6-foot-10, 265-pound sophomore who averaged 9.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and shot 52% from the field, visited the Huskies during their championship parade in Hartford on Saturday. The St. Louis native was a four-star recruit coming out of high school at Link Year Academy in Branson, Mo., in 2022, and ranked by ESPN as the No. 9 center in the class.

“God got me… I ain’t stressin’,” Reed posted on X, with the hashtag ‘committed’ and a photo of him in a UConn uniform along with the words ‘Welcome Home’.

Reed earned the nickname “Hoss” from former head coach Juwan Howard, in part because of his bruising, physical presence down low. He’s also called “Baby Panda” thanks to his love for the animated movie Kung Fu Panda, according to his bio on the Michigan athletics website.

Though the Wolverines struggled mightily last season, finishing 8-24 and in last place at 3-17 in the Big Ten, Reed proved himself to be a consistent scorer and rebounder. He started 31 of 32 games and put up a season-high 20 points in an 88-73 loss to Illinois on Jan. 18. He grabbed a season-best 15 rebounds to go along with 12 points in a 69-59 loss to Rutgers on Feb. 3.

The 20-year-old entered his name into the transfer portal three days after Michigan fired Howard on March 15. The school hired former Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May as Howard’s replacement.

Reed should compete for UConn’s vacant starting center position after Donovan Clingan declared for the NBA draft. UConn head coach Dan Hurley made it clear the team would be looking for big men in the transfer portal this offseason, and Reed figures to fit in alongside 6-10 forward Samson Johnson, who will be a senior next season. Johnson was Clingan’s backup this year, and is also expected to compete for the starting center role. The two could end up splitting playing time much like Johnson and Clingan did last season, and Clingan and Adama Sanogo did in 2023.

Hurley has hit big on his most recent transfer portal additions, landing 2024 Final Four Most Outstanding Player Tristen Newton from East Carolina, sharpshooters Joey Calcaterra from San Diego and Cam Spencer from Rutgers, and last year’s Big East Sixth Man of the Year Hassan Diarra from Texas A&M.