University of Mississippi

The late Justin Reed, the first Rebel to earn All-SEC honors all four years and the first two-time Wooden Award candidate from a college in Mississippi, will be honored during Saturday’s Ole Miss men’s basketball game against Missouri (Feb. 16). Family members and former teammates will join Rebel Nation to remember Reed, Ole Miss’ 2019 SEC Legend.

Club Red, the Ole Miss basketball student section, will wear jersey t-shirts with Reed’s number 23. The first 1,000 students to arrive at Saturday’s game will receive a free shirt.

Reed will also be recognized at the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, March 13-17, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Featuring former greats from all 14 Southeastern Conference member institutions, the Allstate® SEC Basketball Legends will be honored at halftime of his institution’s first game at the tournament.

A four-year starter during his time at Ole Miss (2001-04), Reed etched his name in the school record books. Along with becoming the first Rebel to be named All-SEC all four seasons, he ranks sixth all-time in scoring (1,785 points) and ninth in rebounds (766).

After four decorated seasons as a Rebel, Reed took his talents to the professional level. The forward from Jackson, Mississippi was the 40th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, selected by the Boston Celtics with the 11th pick of the second round. He was the first SEC player drafted that season.

As a senior, Reed averaged 18.5 ppg in claiming the first SEC scoring title by a Rebel since 1992. Reed, who posted 12 games of 20-or-more points, also finished top 10 in the SEC in rebounds (sixth at 7.5) and field goal percentage (sixth at .464).

Reed led the Rebels in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore and junior as well. After averaging 14.6 ppg and 5.3 rpg as a sophomore, he increased his scoring to 15.4 ppg and pulled down 6.6 rpg during his junior campaign.

Stepping onto campus as a freshman for the 2000-01 season, Reed averaged 11.0 ppg to help the Rebels capture the SEC Western Division and advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. He garnered SEC Freshman of the Year accolades.

Reed passed away October 20, 2017 at the age of 35 following a battle with angiosarcoma, a rare form of cancer.