Ohio State basketball: Efton Reid to announce his college choice

Five-star 2021 center Efton Reid will decide between the Ohio State basketball program, Pittsburgh, LSU, and Florida State at noon Friday.

Efton Reid has long been a priority for the Ohio State basketball program, and after his announcement scheduled for April was delayed, it appears via his mother’s Twitter that the Ohio State staff will know tomorrow if their pursuit of the IMG Academy product panned out.

Ohio State basketball went through the 2020-21 season without a true center, having the likes of Kyle Young (6’8) and E.J Liddell (6’7) operating in the Buckeye frontcourt. While Kyle Young has announced he will return for one more year, and Liddell expected to withdraw his name from the NBA draft barring significant NBA feedback, Chris Holtmann and company would love to pick up an inside force at 6’11 in Reid.

Reid is a bit of a throwback player. He isn’t going to step out and hit many threes, utilizing a nice offensive post game and a bit of a mid-range stroke while finishing everything around the rim. Defensively, he needs some development, and primarily uses his footwork to limit offense. He’s not a hugely athletic guy and could use a year in the weight room and on the court to get more athletic, but could be a guy who hits a huge spurt in his sophomore year.

Realistically, the Buckeyes’ chances are looking worse with every day that passes. Right before Reid’s postponed announcement, it was unclear where he would choose and there was some buzz the Buckeyes could actually land Reid.

Now, it is looking like more of a three-horse race between Pitt, FSU, and LSU, according to PGH Sports. North Carolina has had some buzz around Reid this past month as well, but it is unclear the level of interest new Tarheel coach Hubert Davis has in Reid.

Although it is not likely, don’t count the Buckeyes out of the race for Reid yet. Crazy things happen all the time in recruiting, and Ohio State gives Reid the chance to play early and often at one of the more premier programs in the country in Ohio State.

If I had to guess, I would say the choice is Florida State but I am not confident in that pick. Either way, we’ll see if Reid ends up making the decision Friday.