Spurs may have found the perfect Victor Wembanyama sidekick—and his mindset says it all.

Tarris Reed Jr. arrived in San Antonio as the No. 26 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft after the Spurs acquired him in a draft-night trade with the Denver Nuggets, sending away the No. 35 pick along with future second-round selections.

The former UConn standout enters the NBA after establishing himself as one of the most elite interior presences in college basketball, playing a major role in leading the Huskies to the National Championship game. 

However, Reed displayed a humble mindset when discussing his future with the Spurs.

“I’m not coming here to be no superstar, to be a hero,” Reed said. “I’m coming here to do my job.”

The Spurs entered the 2026 offseason with a clear need for additional size, toughness, and frontcourt depth behind franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama. With fellow first-round pick Jayden Quaintance recovering from a significant knee injury, Reed is expected to have an opportunity to contribute immediately as a backup center and earn meaningful minutes from the start of his rookie season.

The Spurs are also looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking defeat in the NBA Finals, where they fell short against the New York Knicks. Reed paid close attention to that series and said the team's physical approach stood out to him.

"Guys were in the paint, hacking, bruising, all that,” Reed said. “I got the body for it and I embrace the physical game. That's a huge part of who I am and how I play."

At 6-foot-10 and 260 pounds with an impressive 7-foot-4.25 wingspan, the 22-year-old St. Louis native possesses the athleticism to make life difficult for opponents around the basket. He thrives on controlling the paint, battling for rebounds, and imposing his physicality on both ends of the floor. 

Reed's skill set fills a major need for the Spurs, and he has the tools to make an impact from Day 1. If he delivers as expected, the Spurs should be much better equipped to compete on the glass and avoid the rebounding issues that plagued them at times last season.

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