MBB Roster Rundown: Derrion Reid

As we approach November 4, when Alabama will start its 2024-2025 campaign against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in Coleman Coliseum, we will break down the thirteen scholarship players on the Crimson Tide roster, both new and old.

Next up in the rundown is one of Alabama's top freshman, five-star Derrion Reid.

Derrion Reid:

A 6-8 wing from Napa, Calif., Reid earned five-star status from most major recruiting sites, ranking as a top-20 prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Per 247sports, Reid is the fourth-highest-rated recruit in program history, behind Collin Sexton, Brandon Miller, and JD Davison.

Adam Finklestein, the Director of Scouting for 247sports, had this to say about Reid:

"He plays with an aggressive scoring mentality and is a threat from various spots on the floor. He's probably most comfortable in the mid-post area, or with similar elbow isos. He has very good footwork and loves to face-up after starting with his back to the basket. He goes right into contact and can play through it, but is also a threat to pull-up over top of contesting defenders in the mid-range area. [...] a crossover and playmaking ability in the open floor. [...] There's similar versatility on the defensive end where he moves his feet, utilizes his length, hedges ball-screens well, and can bang with bigger players inside. He's a quality pound-for-pound rebounder and good vertical athlete, known for some explosive put-back dunks."

The Crimson Tide was one of the initial schools to offer Reid, offering the five-stay on June 17, 2022. The Prolific Prep alumnus would visit Tuscaloosa on October 20, 2023, before committing to the program just over two months later on December 22, 2023.

Along with his Prolific Prep teammate, Alabama's Aidan Sherrell, the 6-8 wing would be named to the 2024 McDonald's All-American team, making him one of three on the Crimson Tide roster. Reid also earned an honorable mention to the Naismith All-American team.

Reid is expected to make a significant impact for the Crimson Tide in year one, yet the Grovetown, Ga., native will still be allowed to ease into collegiate basketball.