“We certainly didn’t come here to LSU to play in the NIT,” LSU head coach Matt McMahon had stated ahead of the NCAA season which speaks volumes about what he wants to achieve In his third year at the Tiger’s helm.  Since LSU last made the playoffs a year before his arrival, the coach has been pushing for that elusive postseason berth.

Nevertheless, the coach would be more confident this time with some talented faces already having a couple of year’s experience playing under him. And one among that list is LSU forward Jalen Reed, who, despite not being a regular starter, was one in the top five scorers for LSU last year. Today, we take a closer look at this player’s profile who is all set to enter his junior year!

Jalen Reed’s tremendous physicality makes him a strong force in the LSU Tigers’ frontcourt

Jalen Reed made his way to the LSU Tigers after an impressive high school career that showcased his talent. He had two notable stints during his journey, first playing for Oak Hill Academy before moving to Southern California for his senior year. And one of the standout qualities that adds potential to Reed’s excellence is his physicality. 

Matt McMahon had said earlier, “Jalen Reed, who’s in his third year in the program, has had a terrific off-season. He’s 6’10”, 250 pounds now. Really expect him to take a big jump here as he enters year three.” Standing at an impressive 6 feet 10 inches, Reed’s height gives him a clear edge on the court, positioning him to be a key player for the Tigers whenever they need a strong presence in the paint.

Reed’s height is a significant asset, especially since he primarily plays as a power forward, where his duties often keep him near the rim. His role demands strong defense and the ability to battle for rebounds against taller opponents. In fact, this tall structure means he has a humongous reach and a wingspan of 7 feet and five inches which gives him an edge blocking the opponent’s projectile and making his presence a problem to the opponent’s attack. 

But it’s not just his height that gives him an edge—at 240 pounds, he brings more strength than the average forward’s weight. This added power makes him a force, whether he’s pushing through defenses or holding his ground against an opponent’s offense. Even the head coach appreciated his dedication and growth on the physicality front as he said, “I just love his growth and development. I think our new strength coach, Mike Chapman, has done a tremendous job with him. He’s now 250 pounds.” 

While Reed hasn’t started many games in the past couple of seasons, his physical development through consistent training, along with entering his junior year, could finally earn him a spot in the starting five this season.

Jalen Reed’s Journey: Limited minutes yet a sharpshooter  for the Tigers

Jalen Reed’s first season was also the debut year for head coach Matt McMahon. Not having much of the awareness and proof of Reed’s potential, McMahon didn’t give him a spot in the starting five quite often. Despite taking the court on 33 occasions, the LSU forward had started only 11 games and averaged just 15.4 minutes throughout the season. However, he didn’t fail to prove his worth and potential even with those limited playing minutes. 

In his fresher year, Reed averaged 3.7 points along with 3.2 rebounds which was of course low figures, but what impressed everyone was his precision on the hardwood. He recorded a 39.8% from the field with 36 successful baskets from 67 of his launched attempts. This was the fifth highest among LSU’s roster considering players who clocked over 15 minutes per game. 

Well, that seemed just a trailer of his sharpshooting as the very next season he recorded almost the same figure from the deep. Reed’s game only elevated in his sophomore year as not only did he get more starts, than 20, but averaged 7.9 points along with 4.1 rebounds. He finished as the team’s fifth top scorer despite some of his performances coming from the bench. 

But as mentioned his excellent precision touched further heights, the 6’10” forward converted 13 of his 33 attempts from the deep and recorded 39.4% on it. This only improved his field goal percentage which now stood at 51.6%. “He went to not shooting the three as a freshman, last year he shot it at 39 percent, now I want to see him get a higher volume of threes in addition to his ability to attack the rim and finish,” stated McMahon to SEC Sports, as he remains confident entering this season with Reed by his side. 

Last season, he scored his career high points against Dayton scoring 16 with 7 field goals. Now as Jalen Reed gears up for his junior year, his impressive physicality and refined skills position him as a crucial asset for LSU. He will probably be taking the court against LSU’s first game set to be played against LA-Monroe on November 6.