After announcing his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines on Thursday afternoon, former LSU Tigers forward Jalen Reed is headed to Ann Arbor.
Reed joined the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason, having spent four seasons with Matt McMahon and Co. , the former head coach, where injuries cut short his tenure in Baton Rouge.
The 6-foot-10, 245-pounder is returning from an Achilles ailment that forced the conclusion of his 2025–26 season after he played in only six games the previous fall.
In the first six games of the season, he averaged 18 minutes of playing time, scoring 9. 5 points and 5. 7 rebounds each game.
“In last Friday night’s game against Drake, McMahon said in a statement that Jalen Reed sustained a season-ending (left) Achilles tendon injury.
This morning, he had a successful operation in Baton Rouge. Jalen is in our hearts and we are completely heartbroken for him. Everyone in our program has been inspired by his journey back to the court.
In addition to being a future graduate of LSU, Jalen serves as a team captain and leader. He exemplifies all that is wonderful in collegiate sports. I still respect Jalen’s fortitude and mental tenacity, even though I can’t fully express how disappointed I am in him. We can’t wait for him to return to the basketball court, and we are excited to help him through his rehabilitation.
Reed played a total of 79 games throughout his four seasons with the LSU Tigers, showcasing career averages of 6. 6 points, 4. 1 rebounds, and 0. 7 assists.
Reed will now travel north to join the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines after consecutive seasons in which he sustained a torn Achilles tendon (2025–26) and a torn ACL (2024–25).
“Their actions throughout the year proved that they didn’t need us to win a National Championship to further solidify their relationship,” head coach Dusty May stated after winning the title. “We talked about it early in the season, to hang a center banner — Michigan has got a proud tradition, there’s a lot of banners on the side. In the center, there is only one solitary sign.
“And if we were having a bad practice or didn’t have our edge, we would remind them that if we were ever going to hang another banner so that one has some company, then we can’t have these type of days or these type of practices. That was often one method by which we were able to redirect the attention of our team.
