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Gonzaga Basketball: 3 takeaways from Efton Reid’s transfer to the Bulldogs

By Tuck Clarry

Feb 12, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers center Efton Reid (15) celebrates with the student section after defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2022; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers center Efton Reid (15) celebrates with the student section after defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gonzaga Basketball head coach Mark Few Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga Basketball head coach Mark Few Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

How Reid fits in on defense

Gonzaga reached great heights defensively last season because of the abilities of the rim-protecting Holmgren. His 75 defensive rating and 12.6% block rate are gaudy stats that should not be expected to be replicated by anyone. Reid offers a unique answer to Gonzaga’s current size issue in the frontcourt and could help anchor a defense if he’s able to take another step in development.

Reid was battle-tested by the SEC and its group of punishing bigs. This could account for Reid’s difficulty with fouls throughout the season. He averaged over three fouls per game last season and had a 40-minute average of 6.8, significantly higher than the rest of the Tigers and the league as a whole. The rate is higher than Zach Collins’ foul rate in his lone season with the Zags, which should be plenty informative to many Gonzaga fans or anyone who saw the 2017 national championship.

But the Richmond, Virginia native did show flashes of exceptional defense. Playing out of position largely affected Reid’s ability to comfortably stay in front of his man. Most of his defensive log is him guarding in spot-up opportunities versus where he truly excelled as a post defender. Opponents averaged .396 points per possession posting him up last season, putting Reid in the 98-percentile according to Synergy.

Reid’s 5.6% block rate ranked him well inside the top 150 in the nation last year, and it could improve with more playing time and a new scheme. The big man has largely relied on his skill and timing to impact both sides of the court, so his advantage is in length more so than sheer athleticism.