From Special Reports
OXFORD — The late Justin Reed, the first Ole Miss men’s basketball player to earn All-Southeastern Conference honors all four years and the first two-time Wooden Award candidate from a college in Mississippi, will be honored Saturday during the Ole Miss men’s against Missouri.
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 the game will receive a free shirt.
Reed also will be recognized at the SEC tournament on March 13-17 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Featuring former greats from all 14 SEC member institutions, the SEC Legends will be honored at halftime of his institution’s first game at the tournament.
A four-year starter at Ole Miss (2001-04), Reed ranks sixth all-time in scoring (1,785 points) and ninth in rebounds (766).
After four decorated seasons, Reed took his talents to the professional level. The forward from Jackson 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 points per game in claiming the first SEC scoring title by a Rebel since 1992. Reed, who posted 12 games of 20 or more points, also finished in the top 10 in the SEC in rebounds (sixth, 7.5) and field goal percentage (sixth, .464).
Reed passed away Oct. 20, 2017, at the age of 35 following a battle with angiosarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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