Yet another Michigan basketball player enters transfer portal

It’s another day and we have another Michigan basketball player entering the transfer portal. This time, it’s former top-50 recruit and starting center Tarris Reed.

Reed just completed his second season with the Michigan basketball program and his first as a starter. He averaged nine points per game and 7.2 rebounds. He’s also a solid defender and rim protector.

NEWS: Michigan forward Tarris Reed Jr. is entering the transfer portal, a source tells me.

Reed Jr. just wrapped up his second season with the Wolverines and emerged as much more of a key contributor for Michigan. Started 31 of 32 games played.

He averaged 9.0PPG, 7.2RPG and… pic.twitter.com/jyJUNsENQK

— 24/7 High School Hoops (@247HSHoops) March 19, 2024

Reed saw a big in minutes for Michigan basketball this past season. There just wasn’t much frontcourt depth, especially after Olivier Nkamhoua was lost to injury. He played 26.6 minutes per game this season but was effective as a post scorer making 51 percent of his attempts.

Reed needs to work on his jump shot. He made just 58 percent of his free throw attempts last season and if he make a jump there, it’s easy to see him scoring in double figures. Yet, he could be a borderline double-double guy and proved he’s a legit starting center at a high major.

What does it mean for Michigan basketball?

For starters, it means the Wolverines have lost their two best assets as players, in addition to their head coach in the past few days. That’s life when you fire your head coach and as I wrote on Monday, more departures are coming.

I was hopeful that Reed might return. He’s a plus defender and it’s still valuable to have capable big men in the Big Ten conference. The guy averaged 1.4 blocks per game and it feels like he’s still just scratching the surface of his potential.

With his game tailor-made for the Big Ten, it wouldn’t be surprising if another program or programs showed interest, but it’s hard to predict landing spots. From a Michigan perspective, it stings, but for now, it is what it is.

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