From LSU to Michigan: The Jalen Reed Interview

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Welcome each of you to the Go Blue Hoops podcast. This is episode number 34, and I think this is going to be a really impactful, important, and interesting podcast because we are talking to a very special guest.

Jalen Reed is the new Michigan Wolverine. He played at LSU, 6’10”, 245 pounds. Just a ton of potential.

And the thing that is really interesting, you probably haven’t heard about him because he tore his ACL two years ago, and this past year he tore his Achilles. So he’s been in rehab mode, but he’s vastly talented. He is immensely tough, and I think there’s a chance he could start sort of in a Yaxel Lendeborg role.

I want to see him play. I’m not sure if his defense is as versatile as Yaxel’s, but he is really intriguing. And I know you’re going to want to stay tuned and listen to Jalen Reed in the Michigan Man interview.

Also, this has been a really big week in NBA circles. A while back, I shared with you a date, Wednesday, May 27. That’s the deadline in which everybody who jumped into the NBA Draft Combine to test the waters has to decide: Am I staying in, or am I going back to college?

The combine in Chicago is a fascinating place. I attended there 30 straight years and was just enamored and excited about all of the best basketball minds in the world breaking down these prospects, looking at their strengths, weaknesses, and potential.

They do psychological profiles, and they test vertical jump and shuttle run, and they test your shooting. How many threes do you make out of 30? That kind of thing.

And then the best basketball minds in the world tell the players where they’re projected in the draft.

It’s an intense 10 days, and it’s high pressure, and there’s so much at stake. Just imagine that you’ve been dreaming your whole life about hopping on chartered airplanes, sitting alongside amazing teammates, getting ready to play head-to-head against your heroes in the NBA.

And oh yeah, you make generational wealth. So someday your kids and grandkids will go to college because of your hard work that got you to the NBA.

It’s really exciting, and I’m thrilled for our Michigan brothers and how well they did when you consider the fact that three of the top 20 picks are going to be Michigan Wolverines. It might be three out of 15, depending on how things fall.

But Yaxel, Aday, and Morez really showed all of the executives in the basketball world what we’ve already known. They’re all about basketball brilliance. They’re exceptionally well-gifted as leaders, and the NBA covets guys who impact winning.

And there’s no question, over the 40 games this year, our three guys were dominant and brilliant.

What I’d like to do is kind of go through and talk about each of them and how they did at the combine.

I also want to stress that I think it’s really healthy for this program that all three are going to the NBA.

Yaxel obviously had to because he’s 24 years old and he’s been in college forever. But I think it’s good news that Morez and Aday went to the NBA to chase their dreams.

There’s all kinds of talent in this Michigan program. They’re ready to step up and take Michigan to a Big Ten title, and they’re ready to step up and lead us to another Final Four.

So I think it’s a really good thing that all three of them are going to be playing in the NBA next year.

All right, Yaxel is so highly coveted. He’s a 3-and-D wing, which is such a position of need throughout the NBA.

He’s so versatile. Long arms. Didn’t think that he would measure as long as he did. His three-point shooting has improved so much from the start of the season.

He can cover all five positions, even though two through three is his specialty. And right now, he’s just outside the top 10.

I would anticipate that this is a guy at 24 years of age who is viewed as NBA-ready.

There was a time in past drafts where they would say the most important number is a player’s age. We want to get him in when he’s 19 or 20 or 21, and then get him through that first rookie contract and still be able to possess him.

Now that’s not necessarily the case. I think you want to have guys who can step in and play right away.

What about Aday Mara, the biggest riser in the entire draft?

Remember back at the start of the Big Ten season, we talked about the fact that a lot of the ESPN mock drafts were saying that Aday Mara may be sliding into the first round.

We kind of laughed at that because I think we saw his potential before anybody else.

He now seems like a lock to be in the top 10. Remember January? Not even first round. Now all of a sudden everybody wants him.

And the reason is, and we pointed this out many times on the podcast, that Aday Mara looks like a starting center in the NBA.

Unbelievable hands and footwork. He is a guy who can grab a rebound at one end, beat his man down the court, and throw down an incredible dunk.

When I look at the separator for him, he’s a beautiful shooter. He improved his free throws. He’s got a great smile, a wonderful attitude. He’s a pleasure to be around, and I can’t wait to watch him develop.

He’s got size like Zach Edey did at Purdue, but he’s so much better with the skill area of the game, being able to knock down shots.

He’s going to develop even more. I love the potential of Aday Mara.

All right, and then last is Morez Johnson Jr. So happy for him. One of my favorite guests on this podcast. I will try to get him back on for sure.

The NBA learned what we already knew. He’s a leader. He’s tough. Fantastic defense.

He can cover anyone out there with his long arms, lateral quickness, and ferocious attitude.

His shooting is so underrated. If you go to a practice, you can just watch who’s making shots and who’s not.

Morez Johnson is a guy who can knock down shots, and he’s going to show that even more in the future.

His free throws, very much money. Eighty percent from the line all year long. We all felt so comfortable anytime he stepped up to the line in tough situations.

As a freshman at Illinois, he made zero three-point shots. Last year, in limited volume, still 12 threes, and he made 35% of his offerings, which is really solid.

He can play both the four and the five. Reminds me a lot of Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons.

Somebody who’s looking for an enforcer type, somebody who’s going to be able to protect the rim, he’s got really long arms.

Think about OKC with Chet Holmgren on the court. There’s no fear factor. There’s no intimidation from a physicality standpoint.

A guy like Morez Johnson would bring the hammer. Don’t mess with my guys. That’s his mindset.

When I also look at the fact that this week the players are traveling all around the NBA, meeting with all 30 teams that are interested, and they get a chance to know their personalities, that will do nothing but help the Michigan players.

All right, finally, going back to that day, Wednesday, May 27, everybody has to make their decision. Do I stay in the draft, or do I come back to college?

As an example, Jeremy Fears at Michigan State. What a huge decision he’s got to make. A lot of people are saying he’s staying in the draft. If he does, who plays point guard for Michigan State?

The reason that date, May 27, is so important for Michigan and Dusty May is we have one scholarship remaining.

Will they use it?

I love this roster and believe they have the potential to go as far as they want. All those players who have worked hard deserve their chance.

But I will sleep a little bit better if Michigan chases a backup point guard, or a backup-backup point guard, who can shoot a little bit, who can run the team, who can push Elliot Cadeau in practice a little bit.

And all we would ask for is six, eight, 10 minutes max. Just to keep things going, give Elliot some rest so he doesn’t wear out over the season.

He can be an insurance policy, a culture guy.

I think I would really appreciate a backup point guard, especially because we don’t know how long LJ Cason is going to be out with his injury.

Hey Michigan fans, we will be right back. But first, a word from our sponsor.

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All right, the Go Blue Hoops podcast is really excited for our Michigan Man interview, and it’s right now featuring Jalen Reed.

A valuable key to the upcoming season. He’s got great size and athleticism, three-point range, played in the SEC, 70 games of college experience. Massively important.

And the thing I didn’t realize, a two-time captain at LSU. So he’s going to bring a lot of leadership to Ann Arbor.

Jalen, the Michigan basketball community and all the fans everywhere welcome you to the program. Congratulations. How does it feel to be a Wolverine?

Oh, it’s amazing, man. I can’t tell you the feeling I got when I committed and signed. I was jumping for joy around the house. Well, not jumping, but I was as excited as I could be.

So you’re coming off an Achilles injury. That was last November. Do you remember the date?

It was November 28.

November 28. So a lot of times it takes nine to 12 months to get back healthy and playing. Let’s start out with an update. Are you playing? How are you feeling? What is your timeline?

I feel great. Obviously, rehab’s kind of had to pivot, switching locations, but I’m back on track with rehab.

I’m in a good spot for where I can be, being five months post-op, and I’m on the court getting up shots, working on my game as much as I can, in the weight room working on it.

So I feel good. I’m in a good place for rehab.

Do you think that you’ll be back playing by opening game next fall?

I don’t want to make any guarantees on that. I’m probably going to feel really good. I’ll probably be playing basketball by the time opening night comes, but I don’t know if I’ll be suiting up on opening night. I don’t want to make any promises.

And we don’t want you to rush. It’s a long season.

And I bet you’re hanging out with your workout buddy, LJ Cason. I know he’s in Ann Arbor rehabbing, too.

How’s LJ doing? And do you guys actually work out together?

Yeah, we haven’t gotten the chance to work out together in rehab. We’ve always kind of been like I’m going in as he’s coming out, or I’m leaving as he’s going in.

But I’ve kind of gotten to know him, and he’s helped me in this process of getting moved in. We’ve texted back and forth, and he’s helped me get in the gym as well.

So it’s been great getting to know him and having him as a good person to go through rehab with. And I feel like I can give him good tips as well, having gone through an ACL rehab already.

I would think you’re one of the most experienced at rehabbing. You probably have some great advice.

What is a typical workout day for you, Jalen? When do you punch that clock?

I try to work out early. So when I wake up, I’m going to eat cereal, or I’m a big breakfast guy, so I’ll go bacon, sausage, waffles, eggs, hash browns, the whole deal.

Then I get to the gym right afterwards. I try to go lift weights and get up shots, and then rehab, or just whatever I can do for the day. Try to max out, but not push myself too much.

So you’ve had just some horrific luck. In 2024-25, you had your ACL tear. In 2025-26, it was an Achilles.

You missed so many games. I think you only played 14 total in two years.

How have you dealt with the devastation and the frustration and the disappointment? You’ve got to really be mentally strong to come through this.

Yeah, I mean, obviously I knew from day one, as soon as it happened to me, being mentally strong is a part of rehab.

You’ve got to be in a mentally healthy place for your body to follow you along and recover the way it needs to.

So there was definitely intention with my mental health, and then just leaning on my faith, leaning on God, my family, and just staying positive.

Knowing that if I’m resilient and I just believe in myself, I can fight through anything.

So you have excellent size, 6’10”, 245, with three-point range. How would you describe your game to Michigan fans?

I’d say I’m a high-IQ four, really versatile. Can rebound, knock down a three.

I think I’m a really good slasher. I get to the basket, make really good decisions. Versatile defender. I feel like I can guard any position, and I feel like I’ve proven that.

So I’m really excited to show Michigan fans what I can do with the ball and without the ball on both ends of the floor.

It sounds like you’re Yaxel Lendeborg. Same size, three-point shooting numbers. You can play some small forward or some power forward.

During the year, did you watch Yaxel and see yourself at all in that role?

Yeah, I definitely watched a lot of his game. Got a lot of respect for the things he was able to accomplish here.

As well as Danny Wolf. I saw both of them play over the past two years and definitely could see myself fitting into a similar role.

When you look at what Yaxel has done, though, you have two years of eligibility, right?

Yep, yep.

That’s exciting.

When I look at the current roster, Jalen, great size with Moustapha Thiam and JP Estrella. Have you talked to those guys? And can you talk a little bit about what Dusty has shared as your role?

I haven’t really talked to Moustapha and JP as much, but I am really familiar with their games.

Obviously, JP being in the SEC and me being in the SEC over the past four years. And I was able to play Moustapha before I was hurt with my first injury.

So I was able to play him his freshman year, and I was obviously really impressed with his size and his versatility, how he’s able to move his feet. I was able to see it up close and in person in our first matchup.

So I’m really excited to play with him as well as JP.

I feel like everybody kind of knows what he does. High motor, really versatile, can play four or five, maybe even a three, stretch out and hit the three.

So I’m really excited to play with those guys, and Dusty’s kind of said that I’ll be a good accent to those guys, obviously coming off of my injury.

So I’m just excited to pull it all together.

Well, there’s no pressure for you to rush back because that position is pretty well solidified.

Do you see yourself more as playing in the four-five role, or do you think you can play some small forward?

I definitely think I can play some small forward. I think I can play any position, honestly.

I work a lot on my game. I have for a long time, and I’ve got confidence, so I feel like I could play any position, one through five, honestly.

Jalen, when you look back at your first discussion with Dusty May, what was he like as a recruiter? And did you walk away immediately saying, “I want to play for that guy?”

Yeah, he was extremely genuine. As soon as I spoke to him, it was just like, wow.

Me and my family, just speaking with him, how genuine and down-to-earth he was.

I feel like as soon as I got off the Zoom, I didn’t even give it five minutes to commit. I called Coach King back.

Me and him have been acquainted for years, and we’ve had a good relationship for a long time.

So I kind of told him as soon as I got off the phone, “Man, that’s where I want to be.”

When you look back at last season, you played very, very little basketball. You probably already knew at some point that you were looking at other schools.

When was that point? And did you find yourself just scrolling ESPN and Fox basketball every night, looking at different styles and maybe searching for what might be your next home?

How did that process go?

The process, I really leaned on my family a lot.

My situation was a little different coming off of two injuries. A lot of coaches didn’t really want to take that risk with the extent of my injuries.

So it was more just me being patient, kind of seeing who wanted to talk to me.

I’m not signed to an agency, so it was really just a waiting game.

I watch basketball. I’m a basketball fan before anything. So I know a lot of play styles, and I watch the game.

It wasn’t really much research done on my part, per se, but I was more just kind of waiting to see who was interested in me, who wanted to take that chance on me after what I’ve been through.

Tell me about a game that you watched with Michigan. Was there a point where you said, “I really like the way they play. I could see myself fitting in there”?

Let me think. I watched the Players Era.

That whole Players Era tournament last year was insane to watch. Just how fast they play, how free, how many points were scored, and also the efficiency on defense was crazy as well.

So watching that really excited me last year.

And then the year before, I watched a lot of what Wolf did playing out of the four and five, pick-and-roll.

So I’ve been excited about the play style here and what Dusty’s kind of done with the offense and defense.

I see how he kind of lets his bigs guard, switch, and play versatile on the defensive end as well.

So I’m a big fan of what he’s done here.

When you watched the Final Four and the championship game in which Michigan beat UConn, did you have an idea at that point that Michigan was a school you were interested in?

And if so, what do you remember about that championship?

Honestly, well, first of all, I picked Michigan in my bracket. I want to say that I picked Michigan in my bracket.

When I got hurt, I kind of had to think about everything. Like, what would I do if things at LSU did go wrong?

And Michigan was kind of like my dream destination in terms of play style.

So it was kind of like a dream come true, honestly, from hearing from Akeem in the portal and then watching that championship game.

I was just excited. I didn’t know I was going to become a part of this.

So it’s kind of even crazier looking back on it, but I was just excited that, first of all, my bracket was right and that I called it.

I kind of knew Michigan was going to win, and now I’m a part of it. So it’s really exciting. Honestly, it’s surreal.

So Jalen, I follow Jayson Tatum a lot, of the Celtics. He had sort of the same injury, and it took him about nine and a half months to get back, and he’s played so well.

That’s got to give you hope.

Have you talked to other athletes who have done their ACL? And have you followed Jayson Tatum at all?

Yes, I watched Jayson Tatum coming back.

Obviously, I was honestly shocked at how he was able to come back, and he played like 30 minutes almost instantly, playing 10 months out of surgery.

So it obviously inspired me very much.

I wish he would have gotten to play out the playoffs how he was hoping for.

But it did inspire me that he was able to come back from an injury, and his resilience, and kind of our similarities in terms of being 6’10” guys, around the same weight, versatile.

I couldn’t help but get inspired by what he did.

You made an official visit to Michigan, is that correct?

Yeah.

What were your thoughts on Ann Arbor, the city, the campus, the facilities? What did you think of Ann Arbor and all the surrounding greatness?

I loved it. It’s so different from being down south.

I’ve been in Baton Rouge, obviously, for the past four years. So coming here was like my world flipped.

I was honestly jaws to the floor the whole time.

Walking around the Crisler Center, even going into the Big House on my visit, wearing different colors.

Jordan Brand, obviously, I’ve been a big fan of Jordan all my life. So it was crazy to be a part of it.

And then just to see the city, the food here. They took me to Sava’s on my first day, so I was able to get the French toast.

Yeah, they did a lot of good stuff for me on my visit. So I was really excited about Ann Arbor.

Jalen, guys who are 6’10”, 245, who can shoot like you do, have big dreams.

What are some of your dreams that you want to accomplish in basketball?

Go to the NBA, stay in the NBA, and get as many accolades as I can in the NBA. Win a championship, things like that.

Take care of my family, of course.

Good. You played on some really mediocre LSU teams, then you had your injuries.

What excites you about entering a winning culture, a team that is expecting to play for championships? How does that change your mindset?

It doesn’t really change my mindset as much.

I’m really kind of going into this situation more open-minded, just kind of learning, but also understanding that I am an older guy and that I’m going to have to teach, but also I’m going to have to learn.

Being where I was and being here is going to be completely different.

So I’m excited to be around the culture, but most of all to take it in and learn from it.

You called yourself a big basketball fan. Which Big Ten venue, which arena, are you most excited to play in?

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Indiana, so I’m excited to go play there.

It’s a good one.

But most excited about playing in the Crisler Center, of course.

We’re excited, too, Jalen.

You faced more adversity the last two years than most people face in their lives. Fourteen games the last two years.

I would imagine that you were devastated as soon as you got back and were playing well, to have the Achilles injury.

What have you learned? What advice can you give about facing adversity?

I feel like in life it’s not about what happens to you. It’s just about how you respond to it.

Whatever happens to you in life, sometimes it’s outside of your control.

Obviously, if I could take back what happened to me, I would. But I can’t.

But I can move forward, and I can show up every day and fight back.

So that’s just what I choose to do.

I feel like that’s the advice I would give to anybody else who’s going through adversity. Just be resilient.

Well, when you spend time with LJ Cason, you guys can definitely talk about it because he’s a good leader and a hard worker, too.

For sure.

I’ve got some quick hitters for you. Short questions, fast answers. Are you ready?

Let’s do it.

What are a few of your hobbies?

Video games, TV shows.

I hear that you play chess.

I do play chess.

Okay, I want to set up a matchup. You and I.

I won the fourth-grade chess championship in my class, and so I’ve got a lot of game for you. Could we set that up?

Yeah. Fourth grade, I went to the state chess tournament. So let’s set that up for sure.

Oh no. Okay, that may not work out well for me.

What’s the most points you’ve ever scored in a game, any level?

Like 42.

Where was that at?

It was back home in Jackson, in an AAU game.

Okay. What are you studying at Michigan? And are you close to graduating?

I’ve already graduated.

Good for you. In four years?

Yes, sir.

What did you get your degree in?

Sports administration.

Good. And you’ve got two more years. Are you going to pursue a different degree now?

Right now I’m doing social work, but that may change in the future.

Good for you.

You chose Michigan. If not Michigan, what was your second choice?

No choice.

I like that. What about out of high school?

Out of high school, I was going to Florida at first. I was signed to Florida, but then I ended up flipping my signing and going to LSU.

But I think if it wasn’t LSU, it would have been Georgia maybe, because I was still close with Coach King.

Are you a Michigan football fan or LSU Tiger football fan?

Michigan.

There you go.

What is the worst part of rehab?

The worst part of rehab? BFR.

What’s that?

Blood flow restriction. That’s when they’re doing your exercises, they’ve got a machine that kind of constricts you. It squeezes you really bad.

And if you know, you know. It’s pain, but it’s worth it, though.

Good.

You’ve been in the Big House, and you’ve been down at Tiger Stadium. Which is the most imposing football field?

Honestly, I want to say just looking at the building itself, the Big House.

But I haven’t gotten to see the Big House atmosphere. It’s rowdy in Death Valley, man. I’m telling you.

Michigan’s coming soon. You’ll see it.

All right, I’m excited for it.

When you watch the NBA, who’s your favorite NBA player or somebody you kind of envision yourself playing like?

My favorite NBA player ever is Michael Jordan.

And I see myself in a bunch of different guys. I see myself in Paolo. I think that’s a good comparison for me.

I think anybody who’s 6’9″, 6’10” plus, can put the ball on the floor, score at all three levels. I think I’m in that same mold of guys.

I like the Paolo Banchero comparison. I had not thought of that. That makes sense to me.

Jalen, how old were you when you first dunked it?

Sixteen. I was old.

Where was that at?

At my high school after practice.

Okay. Would you say that you’ve already selected your number that you want to wear?

Yes.

What is it going to be?

Nineteen.

Why 19?

Joshua 1:9.

Okay, I’m going to look that up.

All right. Yes, sir.

And my final question is, what can Michigan fans expect from you next year?

High energy. Great energy.

Just all over, from the bench, on the court. A lot of excitement, and just to turn up. A lot of wins as well.

So I’m just excited to get out there and show my passion and just play hard.

Jalen, you’re a good guy. I like talking to you, and all the Michigan fans who watch this are going to know the same thing, that you’re a Michigan man and you’ve got great things coming.

All of your hard work and your resilience, there’s a great story that’s coming.

Did you have fun on the podcast today?

I did. I had a great time. I had a great time meeting you and Doug as well.

Yeah, and I want to remind you that when you start working out with LJ Cason, I’m going to send you a text, and you’ve got to recruit him to be on the podcast with me.

Okay.

All right, good.

Thanks everybody for listening to the Go Blue Hoops podcast. This has been a lot of fun, and we are very lucky that Jalen Reed is on our team now.

Thank you to Michigan Medicine. Thank you to Hail Media and to Doug for all of his hard work.

Go Blue, everybody.

Go Blue.

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