Louisville basketball: 5 most intriguing recruits for 2021
By Jacob Lane
Efton Reid – Center
The two biggest needs remaining for Chris Mack in the class of 2021 are on the wing and at center, with the latter being in the most crucial in my opinion. That’s what makes Efton Reid possibly one of the most important players remaining on the board and the top big man available for the Cardinal staff.
At 7’0, 225-pounds Reid possesses grown man strength and combines it with a smooth and skilled offensive game. The Louisville staff have been following Reid for quite some time now, identifying him very early on in the ’21 class and building a strong relationship over the course of them watching him play and visiting the school’s campus.
Ranked as the 21st best player of the ’21 class by 247 Sports and the fourth best center overall, Reid has interest from nearly every major ACC school including Louisville, Florida State, NC State, and North Carolina (although the Tar Heels have yet to offer).
He has a great mix of old school and new school to his game, which makes him a very intriguing player and a great fit for Mack’s offensive system. He’s got the size and strength to bully people inside and does so quite often, but also can play with his back to the basket where he displays solid foot work and several quality moves that allow him to score in the paint as well as outside as a long-range shooter.
He’s also got other skills coaches dream about for big men, including the ability to pass the ball at a very high level from inside and rebounding on both sides of the floor. Mack’s offense thrives with a capable scorer inside, and that’s exactly why Reid is a top priority.