Naz Reid Bio
Nazreon Hilton Reid, known professionally as Naz Reid, is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) and listed at 264 lb (120 kg), he plays the center and power forward positions. He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2024.
Born on August 26, 1999, Reid joined the Timberwolves in 2019 as an undrafted free agent and has spent his entire NBA career with the organization. He helped lead the team to its first playoff appearance since 2018 and quickly became a fan favorite in Minnesota.
Early Life and Background
Nazreon Hilton Reid was born on August 26, 1999, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He grew up in Asbury Park with his mother, Anashia, and his sisters, Toraya and Jakahya. His family provided the foundation for his early interest in basketball, and he developed his game in New Jersey’s competitive youth circuit.
Reid attended Roselle Catholic High School in Roselle, New Jersey, where he became one of the most celebrated big men in the country. During his senior season, he averaged 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. He was invited to the 2018 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, where he scored 15 points and added 11 rebounds in 20 minutes of play. He also scored 22 points as Roselle Catholic defeated Don Bosco Prep in the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions.
During his high school years, Reid was a member of the Jelly Fam, an internet movement known for flashy finger-roll layups. Nicknamed “Big Jelly,” he was the only member of the movement to reach the NBA. In January 2025, Roselle Catholic retired his number 5 jersey in a ceremony Reid attended with his Timberwolves teammates.
Path to Basketball
Reid was a consensus five-star recruit in high school, ranked as the best power forward in New Jersey and the third-best power forward in the country by 247Sports, which also listed him as the 22nd-best player in the class of 2018. On September 12, 2017, he committed to play college basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU).
Reid made his college debut on November 6, 2018, scoring 17 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in a 94–63 win over Southeastern Louisiana University. Three days later, he posted a season-high 29 points along with 7 rebounds. Throughout his freshman season, he averaged 13.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists for the LSU Tigers.
On April 3, 2019, Reid declared for the 2019 NBA draft and hired an agent, foregoing his final three years of college eligibility. He went undrafted but earned an opportunity to compete at the professional level shortly after the draft concluded.
Naz Reid Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Reid signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 5, 2019, on a two-way contract that allowed him to split time between Minnesota and the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves. He also played for Minnesota in the 2019 NBA Summer League before signing a multi-year contract on July 17, 2019. He opened the G League season with the Iowa Wolves.
Reid made his NBA debut on December 8, 2019, scoring three points in a 125–142 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. On January 13, 2020, he recorded a season-high 20 points in a 104–117 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. On February 6, 2021, he posted a then career-high 29 points, six rebounds, and two steals in a 118–120 loss to Oklahoma City.
Timberwolves Breakthrough (2021–2023)
On January 2, 2022, Reid scored a season-high 23 points and added 11 rebounds in a 103–108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He served as a key reserve on a Timberwolves squad that qualified for its first postseason appearance since 2018. Reid made his playoff debut on April 16, 2022, recording two rebounds in a 130–117 Game 1 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Timberwolves were eliminated in six games.
On December 16, 2022, Reid scored a season-high 28 points with nine rebounds in his first start of the season, leading Minnesota to a 112–110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. On February 1, 2023, he recorded 24 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists in a 119–114 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors. On March 29, 2023, Reid suffered a left scaphoid fracture during a loss to the Phoenix Suns and was sidelined indefinitely. On June 25, 2023, he signed a three-year, $42 million contract extension with the Timberwolves, including a player option for the 2025–26 season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Era (2023–Present)
On March 8, 2024, Reid scored a career-high 34 points in a 113–104 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On April 24, 2024, he was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year after serving as one of the league’s most productive reserves. The 2024–25 season saw him make 80 appearances with 17 starts, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. On June 27, 2025, Reid and the Timberwolves agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract extension.
Playing Style and Strengths
Reid is a versatile frontcourt player capable of scoring from the perimeter and finishing around the rim. His Jelly Fam background gives him a creative finishing package uncommon for a player his size, and he has developed into a reliable stretch big with the Timberwolves. He provides scoring punch, rebounding, and playmaking as a reserve, allowing Minnesota to maintain offensive consistency when the starting center rests.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reid’s signature milestones include his 34-point career high against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 8, 2024, and his NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award announced on April 24, 2024. In January 2025, his high school retired his number 5 jersey, a ceremony attended by his Timberwolves teammates. He also signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension on June 27, 2025, cementing his long-term future with the franchise.
Naz Reid Career Wins
Naz Reid has collected individual awards and team milestones throughout his professional career, highlighted by his 2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and his 2018 McDonald’s All-American selection. While he has not won an NBA championship, his contributions helped the Timberwolves return to the playoffs in 2022 after a four-year absence.
NBA Highlights
Reid’s most notable individual achievement came on April 24, 2024, when he received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. He made his playoff debut on April 16, 2022, helping Minnesota to a Game 1 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. His career-high 34 points came on March 8, 2024, against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Other Wins and Performances
As a high school senior, Reid was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2018. He also helped Roselle Catholic capture the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions, scoring 22 points in the title game against Don Bosco Prep. He was the only member of the Jelly Fam to reach the NBA.
Naz Reid Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Reid grew up in Asbury Park, New Jersey, with his mother, Anashia, and his sisters, Toraya and Jakahya. His family supported his early basketball development, and his New Jersey roots remain an important part of his identity.
Personal Life
Reid’s older sister, Toraya, was fatally shot outside an apartment complex in Jackson Township, New Jersey, on September 6, 2025, at the age of 28. Her boyfriend at the time was arrested shortly thereafter in connection with her death. The tragedy was widely reported and acknowledged by the Timberwolves organization and fans.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season represented another step forward for Reid and the Minnesota Timberwolves. He appeared in 80 games with 17 starts, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while continuing to serve as one of the league’s top reserves. His consistency off the bench helped the Timberwolves remain competitive in the Western Conference.
Following the season, Reid and the Timberwolves agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract extension on June 27, 2025, signaling the franchise’s commitment to building around him. The deal underscored his value as a Sixth Man of the Year-caliber contributor and a leader in the locker room.
Looking ahead, Reid is expected to remain a central figure in Minnesota’s rotation as the Timberwolves pursue deeper postseason success. His scoring versatility, rebounding, and playoff experience position him as a key piece of the team’s long-term plans, with the new contract providing stability through the rest of the decade.
