Tarris Reed Jr. has caught the eye of Spurs coach Mitch Johnson with his willingness to seek out physical contact on the court. The 6-foot-10, 270-pound rookie center from Connecticut impressed during a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, finishing with 10 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting and five rebounds in just nine minutes.
Johnson praised Reed’s approach ahead of the game, saying, “You don’t always get young guys that seek contact, that thrive or look for contact. He definitely is one of those guys.” The Spurs coach also noted Reed’s maturity, pointing out that unlike many recent draft picks who were teenagers, Reed, at 23, has experienced the rigors of college basketball. “He got coached really hard at UConn. He’s been great to have in camp. He’s a big young man. He does things naturally that makes him a good addition for what we’re looking for.”
Veteran forward Julian Champagnie echoed that sentiment after the game. “Tarris is going to be real good in this league,” Champagnie said. “Big body. He’s hungry. Obviously he went to UConn as a junior and senior and Michigan as a freshman and sophomore, four years. He’s got experience with being physical and playing hard. I’m impressed with Tarris.”
Reed's physical style also plays a role in how he supports Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ 7-foot-4 All-Star forward. Reed believes his physicality will help prepare Wembanyama for the frequent battles he faces in the paint. “He knows that he’s going to have guys just attacking his body all the time,” Reed said. “So really just challenging him on the offensive glass when I’m crashing defensive glass.”
Wembanyama has become a learning point for Reed, who called the All-Star “probably the tallest person I’ve ever seen and played against.” The rookie added, “When I go against guys that are 6-10, 6-11, 7-1, it’s like, OK, I’m playing against the best defender in the world, so I can adjust to it.”
Reed was the 26th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and brings a different profile to the Spurs’ young roster, which includes fellow first-round rookie Jayden Quaintance, 19. Coach Johnson referred to a previous era when the Spurs often drafted very young players. “There was a time in a different cycle of my life here where we’d get all these 18-year-old punks,” Johnson said. “(Reed) is a little bit older, so it’s fun.”
The rookie center’s combination of size, experience, and readiness to engage physically has made him a standout in San Antonio’s training camp and preseason. His ability to contribute efficiently in limited minutes against NBA competition suggests he could play a meaningful role as the regular season approaches.
According to Yahoo Sports.
