Reed's Return to the Court
Jalen Reed, a 6‑foot‑10 forward who originally rose to prominence as a top‑100 recruit, has officially joined the Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball program after completing his transfer from LSU.
Reed’s collegiate journey has been marked by setbacks; a left Achilles tendon injury sustained in a November 28, 2025 game against Drake forced him to miss the remainder of the season, leaving him limited to just 14 appearances over the past two years.
Despite the injury, Reed has been actively rehabbing and has indicated that he hopes to be fully ready for the regular‑season opener, a timeline that has generated optimism among the coaching staff.
Coach May’s Praise
Coach Dusty May highlighted Reed’s experience and toughness, emphasizing that the veteran presence will add depth and physicality to a roster that is looking to rebuild after a challenging season.
May also pointed to Reed’s statistical contributions at LSU, where he averaged 7.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game during the 2023‑24 campaign after starting 20 games, and earlier posted 9.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in six games before his injury.
Eligibility and Future Impact
The Wolverines’ staff believes Reed’s two years of remaining eligibility, pending a medical hardship waiver, could prove pivotal as the team integrates new portal additions such as J.P. Estrella and Moustapha Thiam, both of whom are expected to bolster the frontcourt.
Beyond his on‑court abilities, Reed’s leadership qualities have been praised by LSU coach Matt McMahon, who described him as a mental‑toughness exemplar and a steadying influence in the locker room.
The addition of Reed, alongside other transfers like Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, and Yaxel Lendeborg, signals Michigan’s aggressive approach to shaping a competitive squad for the upcoming season, a strategy that aligns with the program’s broader ambitions within the Big Ten conference.