Men’s basketball player reviews: Jayden Reid

The Bad

Despite being regarded as a talented scorer, Reid’s transfer commitment to Northwestern was highlighted by two major concerns: limited size and inefficiency. At the end of his time in Evanston, both these factors continued to affect his play as a Wildcat.

Reid struggled on the defensive end in the more physical Big Ten due to his size. Though Reid was never regarded as an elite defender, Collins was forced to remove him from the lineup at points throughout the season because of his lackluster defensive play, likely influenced by his undersized 5-foot-10, 160-pound stature. Reid finished with a DBPR of 0.18 that was dead last on Northwestern.

In terms of inefficiency, in the 2024-25 season the Westbury native led South Florida in turnovers per game (2.6), while also having one of the team’s worst shooting percentages (39.2%). At Northwestern, Reid continued to struggle in both of these statistical categories. Reid’s 1.9 turnovers per game led the ‘Cats while his 39.0% shooting percentage dipped lower than it had been in Tampa.

Moreover, Reid’s three-point shooting struggled during his time in Evanston. The guard shot it from deep at a 31.7% clip, four percentage points below his mark at South Florida.

As a result, the jubilation of Reid’s big games was marred by the bitterness of poor performances. Two games after Reid dropped 20 against Michigan, he went 5-of-20 with nine turnovers in a three-game stretch versus Nebraska, Maryland and Indiana. Inconsistent play like this was a hallmark of the junior’s season.

The Bottom Line

Reid’s season at Northwestern was a mix of clear strengths and lingering flaws. He proved himself as a capable floor general and playmaker, leading the team in assists and delivering several standout scoring performances. However, his size created defensive issues, and his inefficiency — particularly as a shooter and decision-maker — led to frustrating inconsistency throughout the year.

Following the season, Reid announced his transfer to the Memphis Tigers on April 15, sending him back to the AAC for his senior campaign.

To make the most of his final season, Reid will need to become a more consistent and efficient player, limiting turnovers and improving his shooting percentage to match the flashes of talent he’s always shown.