LSU Basketball Alum Naz Reid wins NBA's Sixth Man of the Year

Former LSU Basketball star has won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award for his performance this season. This is a well-deserved honor as Reid was a serious contender for the Award last season before suffering an injury that cost him the final 14 games of the season. The pick was announced by fellow LSU Alumni Shaquille O'Neal on Inside the NBA on TNT.

This season was a great year for Reid as he scored 13.5 points per game with 5.2 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per game. The contributions from Naz Reid are a massive reason for why the Timberwolves clinched the third seed in the West. The Timberwolves lost Karl-Anthony Towns to a torn meniscus on March 7th causing the Wolves to turn to Reid. The biggest reason for Reid and the Timberwolves success has been his ability to fit alongside either Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Journey of Naz Reid in the NBA has been truly incredible, going from a 5-Star recruit out of High School, having a shaky year at LSU, and then going undrafted in the NBA Draft. Reid has since become a massive success earning himself a three-year $42 million dollar deal.

The Timberwolves now find themselves in the race for the NBA Championship with a 2-0 lead on the Phoenix Suns. Reid has been solid for the Wolves this postseason scoring 12 points in game one and five points in game two.

The Naz Reid effect

The effect that Naz Reid has had on the Timberwolves has been truly astonishing, especially this season. In an era where NBA players are constantly pushing for starting roles Reid has accepted and embraced a role off the bench giving the Timberwolves a boost wherever they need it. When Towns got injured, Reid stepped up offensively shooting 41.4% from three. When Rudy Gobert would rest, Reid would play effective defense allowing Towns to push offensively.