Name: Willie Reed Position: Power Forward Height: 6-9 (2.05m) Weight: 220 (100kg) College Team: Saint Louis Billikens Nationality: American Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri Birthdate: 5/16/1990 Drafted: Declared for the 2011 NBA Draft but was not drafted by an NBA franchise...

Background: Reed is one of those classic tales of a late bloomer who, even in his home state of Missouri, was an afterthought to many recruiting observers. He played his junior year at Bishop Miege where he teamed with Travis Releford (Kansas), averaging 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks per game and helping guide the school to a third place finish in the Missouri State Class 5A tournament.

Reed’s potential and athleticism impressed St. Louis head coach Rick Majerus, who offered him a scholarship quickly with the understanding that high major programs in the Midwest would soon come in with offers. The rising top 300, three star recruit chose St. Louis over Missouri State and Missouri, due in part to under-recruitment with his constant moving around to 5 different high schools in four years. This came to full steam his senior year when Reed enrolled in Milestone Christian Academy, stating the move had to do with getting his academics in order.

Unfortunately the school was quickly ripped apart with allegations of being a diploma mill, yet transfer regulations also prevented Reed from playing ball his senior year. After one semester Reed returned to Bishop Miege to graduate. The move almost cost him two years of his college career as the academic regulations at Milestone Christian were deemed questionable by the NCAA. What first seemed like an easy senior year quickly turned into Reed putting forth full effort in the classroom. Through his hard work, Reed earned the necessary ACT score for college eligibility.

Reeds’ length and athleticism contributed to this year's solid post-season success playing in the newly formed College Basketball Invitational, where he helped take his team to the finals before losing to Virginia Commonwealth. Reed continued to raise his profile as he more than held his own against 2010 NBA Draftee, Larry Sanders, on Virginia Commonwealth. Many have proclaimed Reed the best low post player at St. Louis since 1990 NBA Draftee, Anthony Bonner.