Recruiting: LSU, McMahon make big splash by adding four-star forward Jalen Reed

LSU head basketball coach Matt McMahon managed to grab a little bit of the spotlight on a busy southeast Louisiana sports day with the official signing of four-star combo forward Jalen Reed.

The 6-foot-10, 220-pound Reed hails from Jackson, Miss. but he played at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for two seasons prior to transferring to Santa Clara California Academy for his final prep campaign. He also considered offers from Kentucky, Ole Miss, Arizona, Maryland, Louisville, Texas Tech and Memphis.

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— Jalen Reed (@jayreedd) April 28, 2022

Reed originally inked with the Florida Gators during the early signing period but was allowed to back out of that signing following the departure of head coach Mike White to Georgia. Reed is ranked the 71st overall player in the country and the seventh best power forward in the class.

A recruiting trip to LSU last weekend left Reed impressed with McMahon’s plans for the upcoming season. The rebuilding Tigers roster now has nine players for the upcoming season.

Jalen’s father Justin was an All-American while at Ole Miss, earning SEC Freshman of the Year in 2001 and All-SEC honors during all four of his seasons with the Rebels. Part of Reed’s decision to play for the Tigers was the short distance from home, 2.5 hours away from family and friends in Jackson.

Reed has nice touch on his mid-range shots, good ability to create off the dribble, outstanding length and athleticism. He has displayed skills on the defensive end of the floor. Very fluid, Reed moves well without the ball.

McMahon has had a steep hill to climb filling out the roster with expected sanctions facing the program, but this move proves top recruits are interested in taking what they know an opportunity at LSU will provide regardless. Playing in March Madness and reaching the NBA are both primary goals with the latter ranking first. Players want minutes with a competitive program in a competitive league and want to receive great coaching in onder to grow into top pro prospects. Securing recruits like Reed show LSU as a destination program despite the recent turmoil.