5-star big man Naz Reid commits to LSU basketball, continues Tigers’ hot recruiting

The commitment of the talented center is the latest sign that LSU made a great hire with Will Wade.

LSU basketball has landed another big-time recruit. Naz Reid, a 6’10 center out of New Jersey, committed to Will Wade and the Tigers on Tuesday over Arizona. Reid is the No. 18 player in the class of 2018, according to ESPN.

Reid made the announcement on Twitter:

Reid’s combination of strength, length and shooting touch makes him one of the top frontcourt prospects in the country. His 240-pound frame and 7’5 wingspan should make him a defensive enforcer inside early in his career. Reid also showed off an impressive shooting touch in the Under Armour Association, where he drained 34.6 percent of his three-pointers on the season.

Reid is now the third highly touted recruit signed by Wade before he ever coaches a game with the program. Wade has also earned commitments from incoming freshman point guard Tremont Waters (the No. 34 overall recruit in the 2017 class) and 2018 guard Javonte Smart, who ranks No. 32 in his class.

LSU finished 10-21 last season and promptly parted ways with Johnny Jones, who had served as the program’s head coach for five years. Jones’ failure to reach the NCAA tournament with No. 1 overall draft pick Ben Simmons the season before is what really did him in. It was time for LSU basketball to get a breath of fresh air, and Wade has immediately provided that.

Wade led VCU to the NCAA tournament each of the last two seasons before taking the job in Baton Rouge. He’s in the process of assembling one of the best recruiting classes in the country. After the commitment of Reid, LSU’s 2018 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 7 in the country by 247 Sports.