Derrion Reid’s freshman season at Alabama didn’t go as planned for the five-star recruit. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged just six points in 14 minutes per game, struggling to crack Alabama’s loaded roster before transferring to the Oklahoma Sooners this offseason.
Basketball analysts believe Reid’s move to Oklahoma provides the perfect opportunity to bounce back under Porter Mose. The top-15 recruit brings SEC experience and raw talent that should flourish with increased playing time and a fresh start.
What Are the Only Real Hurdles Derrion Reid Faces at Oklahoma?
Andy Patton explained on Locked On College Basketball that Reid faces minimal obstacles at Oklahoma. “I can’t imagine that Porter Moser is not going to give him a serious run early in the season unless he’s just really, really struggling. Or if somebody else, maybe it’s Davis or maybe it’s Brown or maybe it’s Blair, kind of steps up and just outperforms him,” Patton explained.
Even if competition emerges from transfers Tae Davis, Xzayvier Brown, or freshman Alec Blair, Reid’s positional versatility provides various solutions.
“You could kind of play him at either the three or the four. I’ll be interested to see what Moser does in his specific offensive system, where I think that Reid could kind of thrive in either spot,” Patton analyzed.
Reid’s athletic profile allows seamless position switching based on roster needs and competition levels.
“Even if somebody does outperform Reid, if Blair just ends up being great and is locked in to play the three, then I think Reid just kind of shifts up to the four and can play there,” Patton noted about Reid’s flexibility.
How Did Alabama’s Depth Chart Politics Derail Reid’s Development?
Reid entered Alabama as one of the highest-ranked prospects in the 2024 class, carrying expectations of immediate impact similar to Brandon Miller, who became the third NBA draft pick after his freshman season.
However, his trajectory changed dramatically due to mid-season injuries that disrupted his momentum and roster positioning during a crucial development period.
“He missed some time starting in January, he missed some time by the time he came back, he kind of lost his spot in the rotation,” Patton says regarding Reid’s Alabama experience.
Despite limited opportunities, Reid showed efficiency when given chances at Alabama. He played 24 games, starting three. Though he averaged 6.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14.0 minutes per game, he shot 45.0% from the field and posted a season-high 12 points against Creighton.
With few obstacles ahead and Moser’s strong track record with transfer players, Reid has an excellent opportunity for the breakthrough sophomore season that Alabama never provided. His ability to play multiple forward positions should help him showcase the elite skills that made him a five-star recruit.