INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies dunks the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first half of the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reav es/Getty Images) | Getty Images The San Antonio Spurs doubled down on front-court depth after selecting Jayden Quaintance with the 20th overall pick. They traded up into the first round, acquiring the 26th pick from the Denver Nuggets for the 35th pick and two future second-rounders. With that pick, the Spurs took Tarris Reed Jr., a senior big man from UConn. Reed is a massive 6-foot-11, 263-pound center with a 9-foot-2 standing reach. He was one of UConn’s best players on the team’s run to the NCAA Championship game this season, averaging 14.7 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Reed made the All-NCAA Tournament team last season, putting up huge numbers against powerhouses like Duke, Michigan State, and Illinois in March. Reed fills a lot of San Antonio’s needs as a big man. He’s a strong rebounder with a huge frame that will allow him to hold his own with other physical bigs in the NBA. Reed combines his strength, frame, and instincts to gobble up boards on both ends. He snatched 3.2 offensive rebounds per game as a senior at UConn, mostly with his ability to clear the paint with strength. That skill should translate to the next level. He’s somewhat of a throwback center with his ability to score on the low block. He’s hard to move around in the paint, and he used spin moves and drop steps on the block to pin his defender behind him and create space. He’s not an above-the-rim finisher who is going to soar for dunks; instead, he uses his size and strength to clear space underneath the basket to put the ball in. It’s unlikely Reed will be asked to post up much in the NBA, but he could play well in the Spurs’ offensive system as a screener and hand-off hub. UConn is known for its creative use of big men as playmakers, and Reed showed potential as a passer, averaging 2.3 assists per game this season. Defensively, Reed should be a solid rim protector, thanks in most part to his strength. He is going to be a hard player to drive through. He’s a willing help defender, averaging 2 blocks in his senior season. Opponents shot just 56.2% at the rim against him last year. He’s got big hands that can poke the ball free or grab steals as they come to him. He’s going to do most of his best defensive work around the basket, but has enough quickness and length to not look completely lost against stretch big men on the perimeter. The question with Reed in his first three seasons came down to his motor. He did not start for the Huskies in his junior season, partly because of his inconsistency. He responded well to those concerns as a senior, arguably the best player on a winning team. He’ll need his motor to run hot in the NBA to make up for some of his deficiencies as a defender. He’s not excellent positionally, fouls too much, and is not a great vertical athlete. It’s also fair to question whether Reed will be able to bully his way to the rim against taller and stronger NBA players. He struggled in the NCAA Championship game against a 7-foot-3 big man, Aday Mara. He’s going to be an under-the-rim scorer who relies on his touch and strength. It remains to be seen if that skill will translate to the next level. Don’t expect Reed to be a floor spacer at the next level. He didn’t take any three-pointers in his senior season, and only made one in his four-year collegiate career. He was a 58.2% free-throw shooter over the course of his career. His release doesn’t look terrible, but he struggled to convert on his jump shot. San Antonio needs more playable guys in their front court. Reed could step onto an NBA court tomorrow and compete on the glass and in the paint. After their big man depth was exposed in the playoffs, it makes sense that the front office wanted to add a few imposing players in the paint. With Quaintance likely set to miss some time due to injury, Reed gives them a player who should be able to contribute as a third big man in his rookie season. Reed likely won’t be anything more than a solid bench big man in the NBA. He won’t be able to play next to Victor Wembanyama due to his inability to guard on the perimeter or space the floor, but he’ll give the Spurs some muscle to back up their star. Grade: B ...read more read less