“Faith Fuels My Journey.”
This is the slogan that University of Connecticut men’s basketball center Tarris Reed Jr. has adopted for his merchandise line. But for Reed, it’s more than just a catchphrase to sell t-shirts.
He lives it.
“It’s really an everyday thing,” Reed said. “Jesus Christ saved my life. So, before games, after games, win, lose or draw, I’m gonna thank him for it all. I mean, I’m at UConn, one of the best programs in the country, playing college basketball.”
Reed’s faith dates back to his freshman year. He credits his strength and conditioning coach at the time for opening his mind to Christianity.
“He changed every aspect of my life,” Reed said. “So just to be where I am now, [I] just try to be a light for others.”
Reed enters the 2025-26 campaign widely regarded as one of the best centers in the country. He was named to the All-Conference Preseason First Team ahead of Big East media day on Tuesday morning. CBS Sports released a ranking in August of the top five “True 5’s” in the country and stated that Reed had a “strong case” to be in the running.
Samson Johnson was UConn’s starting center last year, but that didn’t stop Reed from making an impact. His most memorable performance was on the road against Providence College back in March last season. Reed finished the game with 24 points, 18 rebounds and a whopping six blocks (all career-highs) to propel UConn to a 75-63 victory at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Providence head coach Kim English recounted that game from the opposing sideline and was reminded why the Friars attempted to court Reed to their program when he hit the transfer portal.
“He’s a very good player. Talented, strong, big hands. He can defend, he finishes,” English said. “Tried to get him out of Michigan. One of the best bigs in a league of really good bigs.”
According to Reed, the driving factor that brought him to UConn amidst other suitors in 2024 was none other than UConn head coach Dan Hurley.
“His coaching style, the way he pushes his players, and the standard he coaches at, is like no other,” he said. “I saw it last year, saw how much I grew, how much I went through last year and how much better I was towards the end of the year.”
Reed thought back to last season, he said that it was “tough at times.” There were times that he “didn’t even believe in [himself].” He credits Hurley for coaching him through that.
“He sees something in you that you can’t even see in yourself, man, and it’s honestly like a blessing when you’re going through it,” Reed said.
Like Reed, Hurley shares a strong connection to Christ.
“I think to have spirituality and faith in something greater than yourself is critically important,” Hurley said. “Knowing that you know whatever I’m going through in life, whether it’s a health crisis or struggles with family or struggles with career, that it’s all part of God’s plan.”
Reed says that two of the newcomers from the Huskies recent portal class, Alec Millender and Silas Demary Jr., have expressed their Christianity as well.
“We’re trying to eventually start a bible study with the team,” Reed said. “I realized a lot of the guys have seeds of faith…I can’t wait to get that started.”
A hamstring injury has kept Reed off the court through the Huskies pre-season scrimmage slate. He was ruled out for UConn’s matchup with Boston College on Oct. 13 and is currently listed as doubtful against Michigan State University on Oct. 28.
Hurley noted that Reed is “one of the best defensive centers” in the press conference following the scrimmage with the Eagles, and his absence was felt in that matchup along with Demary (calf).
“I do think that the team’s got the potential with Tarris and Silas in there, with the bench depth and everything that we got, to really be a team that turns people over a lot and pressures people and is more disruptive,” Hurley said.
The Huskies will eagerly await Reed’s return as they look to reach the “promised land,” as Reed put it, and bring another National Championship to Storrs.