Paul Reed Bio
Paul Reed (born June 14, 1999), nicknamed “BBall Paul,” is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 95 kilograms, Reed plays as a forward and is recognized for his energy, rebounding, and defensive versatility. After being selected in the 2020 NBA Draft, he quickly built a reputation in the NBA G League, where he was named Most Valuable Player as a rookie. He continues to develop into a reliable rotation player at the highest level of professional basketball.
Born and raised in Orlando, Florida, Reed attended Wekiva High School before playing college basketball at DePaul University. He entered the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, spent time with their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, and later signed with the Detroit Pistons. Known for his motor and ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, Reed has become a fan favorite and a steady contributor to his teams.
Early Life and Background
Paul Reed was born on June 14, 1999, in Orlando, Florida, where he grew up surrounded by a large and athletic family. He attended Wekiva High School in Apopka, near Orlando, and underwent a remarkable growth spurt during his teenage years. Reed stood 6 feet 2 inches as a freshman, grew to 6 feet 6 inches by his junior year, and reached 6 feet 8 inches before his senior season, eventually reaching his current height of about 6 feet 9 inches.
As a senior at Wekiva, Reed averaged 18.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, leading the Mustangs to the state championship game and earning Central Florida Player of the Year honors. Rated a three-star recruit and the No. 235 prospect in his class, he chose to play college basketball at DePaul over offers from Clemson, Kansas State, Rutgers, and Murray State. His father, Paul, played college basketball at Old Dominion and UCF before playing professionally in Europe, which helped shape Reed’s early understanding of the game.
Path to Basketball
Reed’s journey toward professional basketball began in earnest at DePaul University, where he played for the Blue Demons from 2017 to 2020. As a true freshman, he averaged 3.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 28 games off the bench, but his playing time grew toward the end of the season. During his sophomore year, he averaged 12.3 points and a Big East Conference-leading 8.5 rebounds per game, earning Big East Most Improved Player honors in 2019. He also helped lead DePaul to the 2019 College Basketball Invitational final, averaging 18.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 2.2 steals during that postseason run.
Entering his junior year, Reed was named a preseason All-Big East selection and continued to develop into one of the conference’s most productive players. He recorded ten double-doubles during the season and scored 23 points in an upset of No. 5 Butler on January 18, 2020. He finished the year averaging 15.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 1.9 steals, earning Second Team All-Big East recognition. After the season, Reed declared for the 2020 NBA Draft, forgoing his final year of college eligibility.
Paul Reed Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Paul Reed was selected in the second round with the 58th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. On December 3, 2020, he signed a two-way contract with the 76ers, splitting time between the parent club and their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. He made his NBA debut on January 4, 2021, playing the final 90 seconds of a 118–101 win over the Charlotte Hornets and scoring two points on his lone field goal attempt.
Reed spent the shortened 2021 G League season with the Delaware Blue Coats and enjoyed a dominant rookie campaign. He was named NBA G League Most Valuable Player, NBA G League Rookie of the Year, and was selected to the All-NBA G League First Team, the NBA G League All-Defensive Team, and the NBA G League All-Rookie Team. On March 26, 2021, the 76ers converted his two-way deal into a standard NBA contract, recognizing his rapid development.
Philadelphia 76ers Breakthrough (2021–2024)
After converting to a standard contract, Reed carved out a role as an energy big off the bench for the Philadelphia 76ers. On November 27, 2022, he recorded 12 points and 13 rebounds in a win over the Orlando Magic, showing his ability to impact the glass. During the 2023 playoffs, he played a key role in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals against the Boston Celtics, sinking four clutch free throws on May 2, 2023, to help Philadelphia secure the victory.
In the 2023 offseason, the Utah Jazz signed Reed to a three-year, $23 million offer sheet on July 8, but the 76ers matched the offer the following day, keeping him in Philadelphia. He continued to produce as a rotational piece, posting a career-high 30 points and 13 rebounds in a 111–105 loss to the Denver Nuggets on January 27, 2024. Reed was waived by the 76ers on July 6, 2024, ending his time with the organization after four seasons.
Detroit Pistons Era (2024–Present)
On July 9, 2024, the Detroit Pistons claimed Paul Reed off waivers, but he was waived on December 14, 2024. The very next day, December 15, Reed re-signed with the Pistons, signaling mutual interest in continuing the relationship. On December 19, 2024, he was involved in an on-court altercation with Jordan Clarkson and was fined $15,000 on December 21.
Reed found stability in Detroit and rewarded the organization with steady interior play. On June 30, 2025, he agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract to remain with the Pistons, signaling a long-term commitment to the franchise. His combination of rebounding, defense, and energy has made him a valuable piece of the Pistons’ rotation as the team continues its rebuild.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reed’s game is built around energy, rebounding, and defensive versatility. At 6 feet 9 inches, he uses his length and motor to guard multiple positions, protect the rim, and crash the offensive glass. His court awareness and willingness to do the dirty work have earned him praise from coaches and made him a reliable role player in both the G League and the NBA.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Reed’s defining moments came on May 2, 2023, when he hit four clutch free throws to seal a Game 1 playoff win over the Boston Celtics. He also posted a career-high 30 points against the Denver Nuggets on January 27, 2024, and was named NBA G League MVP in 2021 during his standout season with the Delaware Blue Coats.
Paul Reed Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Paul Reed has been recognized for his impact at both the NBA and G League levels. He earned the NBA G League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards in 2021, along with multiple All-G League honors. He has also contributed to meaningful regular-season and postseason victories with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Detroit Pistons.
NBA G League Highlights
Reed’s G League career peaked during the 2021 season with the Delaware Blue Coats, when he won the league’s Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards. He was also selected to the All-NBA G League First Team, the All-Defensive Team, and the All-Rookie Team that same year, cementing his status as one of the top young big men in the league.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Reed helped lead DePaul to the 2019 College Basketball Invitational final and earned Second Team All-Big East honors in 2020. At Wekiva High School, he guided the Mustangs to a state championship game appearance and was named Central Florida Player of the Year as a senior.
Paul Reed Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Paul Reed comes from an athletic family with strong basketball roots. His father, Paul, played college basketball at Old Dominion and UCF before playing professionally in Europe. Reed also has four sisters, and his uncle, Mike Sims-Walker, played in the National Football League, highlighting a family tradition of competitive sports.
Personal Life
Outside of basketball, Reed is known for selling “Out the Mud” hoodies, a phrase tied to a tweet he posted after going without playing time in a game, referencing the Lil Baby and Future song of the same name. He is active on social media, where his “BBall Paul” nickname has helped him build a strong personal brand.
2025 Season Performance
Paul Reed entered the 2025 NBA season with the Detroit Pistons after agreeing to a two-year, $11 million contract on June 30, 2025. The deal reflected the Pistons’ confidence in his role as a high-energy forward and rim protector within their rotation. With Detroit continuing its rebuild, Reed’s versatility and motor remain valuable assets on both ends of the floor.
Throughout the 2025 season, Reed has provided consistent rebounding, interior defense, and second-unit scoring for the Pistons. His ability to guard multiple positions and crash the offensive glass has helped stabilize Detroit’s frontcourt rotation. As the season progresses, he remains a key contributor in the team’s long-term developmental plans.
Looking ahead, Reed’s contract runs through the 2026–27 season, giving him job security and time to continue refining his game. With the Pistons focused on building a competitive young core, his energy, defensive instincts, and experience make him a steady presence in the rotation as the franchise works toward playoff contention.