SEC programs getting heavily involved with fast-rising '24 Derrion Reid

Derrion Reid is one of the more interesting 2024 basketball prospects in the southeast. In July, the 6-foot-7 guard became a hot topic playing with The Skills Factory 16u program on Nike’s EYBL Circuit.

“I’m a bigger guard,” Reid told On3. “I would say I play more smooth, looking to pass first. At 6-foot-7, I can play the one through three, one through four, whatever it takes for my team to get the win. I watch a lot of Lebron James, how he’s a playmaker; he’s my favorite player. Jayson Tatum, I love how he gets to his spots.”

College coaches took notice as the rising Grovetown (GA) High junior has doubled his scholarship total since June. On3 caught up with Derrion Reid to talk about which schools

“I’m hearing from Tennessee a lot, Alabama and Auburn,” Reid said. “I go to Mississippi State next weekend. I’ve already visited Auburn and Alabama unofficially.”

Reid talks recruitment

Mississippi State: “My Auntie went there, Natasha Reid. She was a fan favorite and wanted to visit there with me. I have a good connection with the coaches. They watched a lot of my games at Peach Jam.”

Alabama: “I was able to see the living spaces for the team. I didn’t know they had tutors every day and tutors for every class. My mom is a teacher, and she really liked that. I know a couple of their players and how the coaching staff tracks each player’s health during practice. They keep up with their players and treat them great.”

Auburn: “I know Zep Jasper from my area; he put in a good word for me. I learned a lot about their culture; we sat down with the coaches. Their intensity is through the roof, and they like players who can keep their intensity on both sides of the ball.”

Tennessee: “They see that I’m a big guard. They like a versatile guy like me, with my play-making and my vision who can play multiple spots like that.”

“After Peach Jam, I heard from Kentucky and Memphis,” Reid said. “They’re telling me they like my game, how I can handle the ball at my size and to keep going.”

Reid’s take

“I’m going to look best at where I can fit in,” Reid said. “I’ll look at the program’s culture, fan base, and relationship with the coaching staff. I am building a relationship with the coaching staff more and more every day.

“I’m going to look at their plan for me, how they will use me. I like to be used as a big guard, play for a coach that lets me make the right plays and decisions.”

On3’s take

Derrion Reid has a great frame with good length. The thing that pops off the page when watching Reid is his court vision. In the 6-6/6-7 range, his ability to find the open man in the half-court or full-court setting is a weapon. He is a good athlete with a great frame. There is a lot of upside on the defensive end, in the passing lanes. Reid will need to re-tool the jump shot; while he makes it at times, the trajectory can get a bit flat, causing inconsistencies. He is a good rebounder and can knock down a mid-range pull-up. There are a lot of tools here as Reid is tracking as a national-level recruit.