THE APEX TIMES
UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. selected No. 26 by San Antonio after trade with Denver
Reed becomes the Huskies’ latest recent first-round NBA draftee, following a Big East breakthrough season marked by strong scoring and rebounding numbers.
Tarris Reed Jr., a standout frontcourt piece for UConn, was selected with the No. 26 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. Yahoo Sports reported that the selection came after a trade involving the Denver Nuggets, a detail that underscores how draft-night value can shift rapidly when teams target specific positional fits.
Reed’s path from UConn to the NBA is now firmly established as part of what the report described as the program’s fourth-straight year producing a first-round draft pick. For UConn, that is more than a milestone. It is a continuing demonstration that the Huskies can develop NBA-ready production, particularly from players who log minutes as two-way contributors rather than specialists.
On the college court this season, Reed earned First Team All-Big East honors. In the same report, he was credited with averaging 14 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, numbers that help explain why NBA teams would prioritize him as a productive rebounder and interior scorer at the next level.
Reed’s statistical profile is especially relevant for teams looking to stabilize the frontcourt. Rebounding at nearly 10 boards per game indicates consistent positioning and activity, traits that tend to travel well from the college game to the NBA. At the same time, his 14-point average suggests he was not limited to a single role, which is important for teams projecting how a draft pick might contribute immediately.
The Spurs, selecting Reed at No. 26, are adding a player with a track record of translating high-impact possessions into both scoring and rebound opportunities. Draft picks at this stage typically come with development expectations, but the baseline production Reed showed in conference play offers a concrete reference point as he transitions from UConn to the NBA.
As the league offseason continues, the key storyline will be how quickly Reed adjusts to NBA spacing and longer defensive rotations, along with how San Antonio plans to deploy him in pick-and-roll coverages and rebounding matchups. For UConn supporters, the next watch item is whether his professional start mirrors the momentum he built in Storrs, where his Big East recognition tied directly to his year-long output.
Why It Matters
- Reed’s selection reinforces UConn’s recent run of first-round talent, suggesting the program’s development pipeline is producing NBA-level contributors consistently.
- For the Spurs, drafting a productive rebounder and inside scorer at No. 26 gives them a frontcourt piece with measurable production to build from.
- In the Big East, Reed’s First Team recognition and nearly 10-rebound average reflect the conference’s ability to produce players with transferable impact skills.
- Reed’s early NBA usage and adjustment will be the most immediate marker of how well his college role translates to professional play.
Sources
Key Facts
- Tarris Reed Jr. was selected No. 26 in the 2026 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, according to Yahoo Sports.
- Yahoo Sports reported that the Spurs’ pick came following a trade involving the Denver Nuggets.
- Reed played college basketball at UConn.
- He was named First Team All-Big East this season.
- Yahoo Sports reported that Reed averaged 14 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
- The report said UConn has now had a first-round NBA pick for four straight years.