Reid is an American center who has developed into one of the most impactful bench players in the NBA, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2024 after going undrafted in 2019. A former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American at LSU, he has carved out a vital role with the Minnesota Timberwolves as a scoring big who stretches the floor and provides interior presence.
Born Nazreon Hilton Reid on August 26, 1999, in Asbury Park, New Jersey, he grew up with his mother, Anashia, and sisters Toraya and Jakahya. He attended Roselle Catholic High School, where he averaged 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game as a senior and was invited to the 2018 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. He was a member of the Jelly Fam, an internet movement focused on creative finger roll layups, and was nicknamed Big Jelly. He was the only member of the movement to reach the NBA. In January 2025, Roselle Catholic retired his No. 5 jersey.
Reid was a consensus five-star recruit ranked the third-best power forward in the nation by 247Sports. On September 12, 2017, he committed to LSU alongside his friend Matthew McMahon. As a freshman, he averaged 13.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. On April 3, 2019, he declared for the NBA draft and hired an agent, forgoing his remaining eligibility.
After going undrafted, Reid signed a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 5, 2019, and later converted it to a multi-year standard deal. He made his NBA debut on December 8, 2019, and has been a fixture in Minnesota's rotation ever since. On February 6, 2021, he scored a career-high 29 points. In 2024, he won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. He signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Timberwolves.
Reid is a modern big with three-point range, a soft touch around the rim, and surprising agility for his size. He scores on post moves, face-up drives, and spot-up threes. His ability to stretch the floor while providing interior scoring makes him a difficult matchup for traditional bigs. Defensively, he uses his length and positioning to contest shots and protect the paint. His development from undrafted free agent to Sixth Man of the Year reflects his work ethic and offensive skill set.
