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 feet 9 inches tall and listed at 240 pounds, he plays the power forward and center positions, providing frontcourt depth with scoring touch and rebounding strength. After going undrafted in 2019, Reid carved out a role as a dependable reserve and earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2024.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Reid developed his game on the AAU circuit and at Roselle Catholic High School before a single season at Louisiana State University (LSU). His professional journey has featured a cult following in Minnesota, memorable playoff performances, and one of the most unexpected star turns of his draft class.
Early Life and Background
Naz Reid was born on August 26, 1999, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He grew up in the same community with his mother, Anashia, and his sisters, Toraya and Jakahya. The Shore-area upbringing shaped his early competitive drive, and basketball quickly became the central outlet for his athletic energy.
Reid attended Roselle Catholic High School in Roselle, New Jersey, where he emerged as one of the most promising big men in the country. During his high school career, he became a member of the Jelly Fam, an internet-driven movement built around flashy finger-roll layups. Nicknamed “Big Jelly,” Reid stood out for playing with the flair of a guard despite his size, and he remains the only member of that movement to reach the NBA.
Path to Professional Basketball
Following his senior season at Roselle Catholic, Reid was a consensus five-star recruit. Recruiting services ranked him as the top power forward in New Jersey, the third-best power forward nationally, and the 22nd-best player in his recruiting class. On September 12, 2017, he committed to play college basketball at LSU, citing head coach Will Wade and the staff as the main reasons for his decision.
Reid made his college debut on November 6, 2018, posting 17 points and 6 rebounds in a 94–63 win over Southeastern Louisiana University. Three days later, he scored 29 points with seven rebounds. Across his lone freshman season with the LSU Tigers, he averaged 13.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists, and on April 3, 2019, he declared for the 2019 NBA draft and hired an agent, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Naz Reid Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Naz Reid signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 5, 2019, on a two-way contract that linked him to the Iowa Wolves, the franchise’s NBA G League affiliate. He played for Minnesota in the 2019 NBA Summer League before converting to a multi-year NBA deal on July 17, 2019. Reid opened the G League season with Iowa before making his NBA debut on December 8, 2019, scoring three points in a 125–142 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Through his first two seasons, Reid showed flashes of scoring punch while splitting minutes between Minnesota and Iowa. On February 6, 2021, he tallied a then career-high 29 points with six rebounds and two steals in a narrow 118–120 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Those performances laid the groundwork for a larger reserve role in the seasons that followed.
Minnesota Timberwolves Breakthrough (2021–2024)
During the 2021–22 NBA season, Reid became a reliable contributor off the bench and helped the Timberwolves qualify for their first postseason since 2018. He made his playoff debut on April 16, 2022, recording two rebounds in a 130–117 Game 1 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, although Minnesota ultimately fell in six games.
The 2022–23 campaign produced several signature moments, including a 28-point, nine-rebound effort in a 112–110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 16, 2022, and a 24-point, 13-rebound, four-assist performance in a 119–114 overtime win against the Golden State Warriors on February 1, 2023. On June 25, 2023, Reid signed a three-year, $42 million contract extension with the Timberwolves that included a player option for the 2025–26 season. On March 8, 2024, he erupted for a career-high 34 points in a 113–104 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and on April 24, 2024, he received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Timberwolves Veteran Phase (2024–Present)
Reid made 80 appearances with 17 starts during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while remaining a central figure in the Timberwolves’ rotation. On June 27, 2025, he agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract extension with Minnesota, securing his place with the franchise into the next decade.
Beyond the box score, Reid has built an unusual bond with the Timberwolves fan base. The Minnesota Star Tribune described his name as “no longer just a name” but a kind of secret handshake among supporters. Promotions such as beach-towel giveaways, $20 tattoos offered during the 2024 playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, and a “Honk if you love Naz Reid” pizzeria sign reflected his cult-hero status in the Twin Cities.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reid combines a thick frame with guard-like skill, comfortable facing up from the perimeter, finishing with touch around the rim, and stepping behind the three-point line. His rebounding presence on both ends and his willingness to switch defensively allow Minnesota to keep versatile lineups on the floor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his Sixth Man of the Year honors, Reid’s milestones include his first career 30-point game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2024, his 2024 playoff run against the Denver Nuggets, and the January 2025 ceremony in which Roselle Catholic retired his No. 5 jersey.
Naz Reid Career Awards
Naz Reid’s resume features the 2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and selection to the 2018 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, where he scored 15 points with 11 rebounds in 20 minutes. He is also the only Jelly Fam member to reach the NBA, a distinction that underscores his unique path to the league.
Minnesota Timberwolves Highlights
Across his Timberwolves tenure, Reid has delivered multiple 25-plus-point performances, including a 34-point career high versus the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 29-point outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has appeared in the playoffs with Minnesota and helped the franchise end a multiyear postseason drought in 2022.
Other Performances
Before the NBA, Reid starred at Roselle Catholic, averaging 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks as a senior and pouring in 22 points in an NJSIAA Tournament of Champions win over Don Bosco Prep. His lone college season at LSU established him as a first-round talent despite his eventual undrafted status.
Naz Reid Family
Family Background and Lineage
Reid was raised by his mother, Anashia, in Asbury Park alongside his sisters, Toraya and Jakahya. His family ties to New Jersey remain central to his identity, and his mother and siblings have frequently appeared at his high school and professional milestones.
Personal Life
In January 2025, Reid returned to Roselle Catholic to see his high school retire his No. 5 jersey, an event attended by his Timberwolves teammates. His 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 was arrested in connection with her death.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024–25 NBA season, Naz Reid appeared in 80 games with 17 starts, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while serving as a key reserve for a Timberwolves team pushing for a top playoff seed. His scoring outbursts off the bench, including multiple 20-plus-point games, kept Minnesota competitive during stretches when starters rested or dealt with injuries.
Following the season, Reid agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Timberwolves on June 27, 2025, a clear signal that the franchise views him as a long-term building block. The new deal runs alongside his ongoing role in the rotation and his leadership in the locker room.
Heading into the 2025–26 NBA season, Reid is expected to remain a central figure in Minnesota’s frontcourt, providing scoring punch, rebounding, and spacing behind and alongside the starters. His chemistry with the coaching staff and his standing with the fan base position him as a foundational piece for the Timberwolves’ championship window.