Film Study: What transfer Jalen Reed brings to Michigan Basketball

The Michigan Wolverines picked up a transfer portal commitment a few weeks ago from LSU 6-foot-10 forward Jalen Reed, who will provide post scoring, rebounding and versatility in Ann Arbor.

Reed has shown the potential to be an NBA draft pick throughout his collegiate career, but his long injury history either will make him a swing and a miss or a massive steal for Dusty May and his staff.

Reed has been extremely efficient when healthy for the Tigers, averaging 10.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in the 14 games he played the last two seasons. He shot 59 percent from the field over the last two seasons, including 37.9 percent from three on limited volume, and he has a 50 percent shooting percentage across his four-year career. The athleticism and skill are undeniably there, but the question is whether he can stay healthy enough to show it at Michigan.

“Despite the challenges of the past two years, Jalen brings experience, toughness and a physical presence to our front court,” May recently said. “He’s shown he can play at a high level, and having someone with that experience is important for our program.”

To understand what Michigan is getting (and hoping to get back), it helps to trace Reed’s arc at LSU.

As a freshman in 2022-23, Reed played in 33 games with 11 starts, averaging 3.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. His sophomore year saw a significant leap, as he played all 32 games and averaged 7.9 points and 4.1 rebounds and shot 51.6 percent from the field.

Then came his junior season and the first injury. Reed was averaging a career-best 11.1 points and 6.5 rebounds before tearing his ACL against Florida State in Dec. 2024. He returned for his redshirt junior season and was off to a strong start (9.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game) before suffering a torn left Achilles five games into the season. With a recovery of 9-11 months to return from that injury, the road back for Reed is long and the uncertainty is real.

On film, Reed is a versatile and switchable defender. At 6-foot-10 with a strong frame, he has the length and athleticism to guard multiple positions, and he has experience playing on 3-through-5 players when healthy. He is physical without being reckless, comfortable using his body on the block and in the paint to contest without fouling. He also does not shy away from contact near the rim.

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His rim protection is solid at the college level, and his length makes him a disruptive presence in the paint even when he does not register a block. Reed moves laterally well enough to switch onto guards in pick-and-roll coverage, which makes him an adaptable piece in May’s defensive schemes.