The San Antonio Spurs traded up to draft Tarris Reed Jr. 26th overall, and he admitted that it might take some time for him to adjust to the NBA.
The San Antonio Spurs are looking ahead to Summer League, where they hope their 2026 NBA Draft picks will show out. Sophomore Carter Bryant will be the "veteran leader" for the team, and 20th overall pick Jayden Quaintance won't suit up.
That leaves Tarris Reed Jr., Maliq Brown, and Ja'Kobi Gillespie as the trio of draft picks who will play. Reed was selected 26th overall out of UConn after the Spurs sent two second-round picks to the Denver Nuggets to trade up.
Reed projects to be the third-string center for the Spurs next season, but with Quaintance injured, he could be the very first rookie to make his debut.
Ahead of Summer League, he revealed areas of focus and improvement.
Tarris Reed Needs to Adjust to NBA Pace
In his second and final season with the UConn Huskies, Reed averaged 14.7 points and nine rebounds while leading the Big East in field goal percentage. Of course, lumbering centers who thrive down low in college don't always pan out in the NBA.
Adjusting to the pace and spacing will take some getting used to.
"First thing I noticed, the game's a lot faster than college," Reed said. "We played a little bit slower at UConn, but here it's just fast-paced, fast-tempo, 24-second shot clock, three-second lane violation. So you really have to be on your P's and Q's defensively, and everyone's an elite athlete. So I feel like that's the biggest thing. And like I said, going out and getting my feet wet, not putting too much pressure or expectations on myself, go out there, compete, play hard, and live with the result."
Reed spent two years playing for Dan Hurley, and before that, was in Ann Arbor for two years playing for Michigan. He's a seasoned college veteran who can bring some grown-man physicality and rebounding to the Spurs.
In the NBA, he's expected to lose a step against more athletic players, but there's always a spot for players who do the dirty work and don't mind picking up some fouls, even if they're a step slower than some opponents.
"Once I get it down and get used to it, I'll be just fine," he promised.
Reed will make his Summer League debut on July 7 in San Francisco against the Miami Heat. Don't expect Giannis Antetokounmpo to be lining up against him!
