We are less than 4 weeks away from the tip-off of the new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with Oklahoma JR F Derrion Reid, who talked about being a great shooter and his expectations for this season.
In the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game you scored 4 PTS for the West in a 2-PT loss to the East: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Dylan Harper/Tre Johnson/Derik Queen/other)? The whole group that has made it to the NBA is great: both the guys you mentioned as well as others like Ace Bailey/VJ Edgecombe. As far as who was the most impressive back then, I would say Dylan because he had a chip on his shoulder as he tried to become the #1 pick in the draft.
That summer you won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2024 FIBA U-18 AmeriCup: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? It meant a lot. We had a great group of guys including Darius Acuff Jr./Morez Johnson Jr. and a great coach in Tommy Lloyd who coached us hard. We had a lot of fun during training camp in Colorado and the trip to Argentina and we all became close.
You were born/raised in Georgia: what made you choose Alabama to start your college career? It came down to the wire between Alabama and Georgia: they both offered me good situations, but I ended up trusting the players/coaches at Alabama. It also helped that I had been a teammate of Aiden Sherrell at Prolific Prep: he was my roommate both there as well as in Tuscaloosa.
Why did you decide to transfer last year, and what made you choose Oklahoma? I just thought the Sooners would be a better situation for me. They had been recruiting me since high school, and when I hit the transfer portal they immediately got in touch and showed me a lot of love.
Last December you scored a career-high 22 PTS/9-12 FG in a win over Stetson: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were in the zone? Yes, but I also trusted the work that I put in. That night just happened to be my night: my teammates knew where to get me the ball, so I must give them the credit.
Last January you scored 16 PTS in a 2-PT loss to the Tide: was it just another game on your schedule or was it weird for you to face your former team? Let’s just say that it was circled on my schedule. I was not really talking/laughing before that game because I was locked in. I came down with cramps, and we ended up losing the lead, which still haunts me to this day a bit.
You had a huge increase in your FG%/3P%/FT% from your freshman season to your sophomore season: how were you able to improve so much in just 1 year? It came with hours in the gym and getting feedback from different coaches/scouts. It is about being consistent every day and becoming more comfortable in my role, which is why my numbers have jumped.
You have played 12 postseason games during your 1st 2 years and won 8 of them: what is the key to winning games in March? It is a race to see who can remain together. You can have a 20-PT lead and then lose it in the blink of an eye, so you must stay together when things are not going your way.
Your mother Marie played basketball at Memphis/South Carolina State, and your aunt Natasha played basketball at Mississippi State: who is the best athlete in the family? I am the best. They would obviously say themselves…but until I see footage of them, it is me!
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? To win and make everyone around me better: I want to make it to March and then win in March. I will help my team in whatever way they need me to so that we can go on a run.
