On Thursday, IMG Academy’s five-star big man Efton Reid will commit to a program, and analysts continue connecting him to Pitt.

Reid isn’t the first high profile recruit placing Pitt in his final choices, but he would be the most sought-after talent to commit under head coach Jeff Capel.

Though Reid hasn’t released an official list, experts from around the country continue tying him to Pittsburgh.

For Pitt’s sake, let’s hope they’re right.

More times than not, Capel and his staff couldn’t close the deal on elite talent coming through the door. This could be different. Reid committing to the program would change everything. Adding him to the roster fills the shoes of the big man eluding Capel.

What Reid’s Commitment Could Do

This program needs a boost. A victory on the recruiting trail could be just the spark needed to ignite the Pitt basketball flame once again.

When one big name falls your way, there tends to be a snowball effect where the program becomes a destination spot for other prized recruits.

Without diving into additional fits for the program who could fall Pitt’s way, focus instead needs to shift towards star Justin Champagnie.

Champagnie consistently finds himself somewhere in the second round of most mock drafts.

The well-known departures from Pitt this year might make a return to Pitt less appealing for Champagnie. However, if Reid commits, the chances of Champagnie returning increase exponentially. It’d also give him a chance to tighten his game up as a small forward instead of continuing as a power forward. If he sharpens his jump shot, it’ll inevitably increase his draft stock.

A Champagnie-Reid duo could lead Pitt back to national relevancy.

Scouting Report

So, what would Pitt get with the 6-foot-11 star?

Unlike John Hugley, the four-star recruit from Ohio who’s now suspended, Reid is a bit more polished from the get-go. He does a lot of the fundamentals well and won’t take as much polishing on the little things. His footwork, passing ability and athleticism are clearly showcased throughout his film. It’s something to be expected out of a school like IMG.

One thing IMG let him down on is physical growth.

Adding size will be essential for Reid. At 225 pounds, Reid doesn’t possess enough size to battle through traffic and manhandle some of the big men in the ACC. However, there’s plenty of room for growth and an ability to play right off the bat won’t hurt.

Final Thoughts

Pitt hasn’t rostered a recruit this highly touted since Steven Adams. Reid’s signing could empower the program to lockdown fellow recruits and add another element for Champaignie to consider. The appeal to Pittsburgh almost instantaneously changes for the better.

Like Adams, though, an unavoidable transition period will ensue for Reid after reaching the collegiate level. His size could initially be a problem unless there’s a quick transition once he’s in the Pitt weight room. Regardless, an undersized center with limitless potential already bodes well compared to what they had last year.

As the season progresses, I foresee Reid quickly acclimating to the college game. I think he could stay an extra year or two to develop his frame — something that would’ve been beneficial for Adams if money didn’t pull him to the NBA to help his then-struggling family.

Additionally, Reid’s signing would hush some of the Capel naysayers.

Fans are quick to bash Capel over missing recruits or keeping the program in stagnation. What they forget is that he inherited a dumpster fire. The Petersen Events Center, once one of the most feared venues for opposing teams because of the Oakland Zoo, was so quiet you could hear a pin drop during the Kevin Stallings years. He’s already changed the culture and gave the students a reason for excitement once again.

For the past few weeks, Jamie Newman of Rivals had Reid listed as a 100 percent commit to Pitt. That changed tonight, the night before Reid’s commitment. He’s now projecting Florida State.

Like Chris Peak of the Panther Lair, I tend to believe nobody truly knows where Reid is heading.

I honestly don’t think anyone knows where Efton Reid is going to college.

— Chris Peak (@PantherLair) April 14, 2021

Reid has been fairly silent regarding his entire recruitment. We wouldn’t even know his announcement date if it wasn’t for his mother announcing it via Twitter.

April 15, 2021 here we come! My son, Efton J. Reid III will be announcing his college decision! Get that #15 Jersey ready here comes Big Man Efton Reid to the court! Mama bear has spoken!

— Maria (@rebbie8041) April 3, 2021

Signing Reid tomorrow changes the optics surrounding the Pitt program and will aid in capturing the city’s eye again.

Cinello covers all things Pittsburgh sports. Connect with him on Facebook (Joey Cinello), Twitter (@JCinello) and LinkedIn (Joseph Cinello)

The post Cinello: Pitt basketball at a crossroads waiting on Efton Reid appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Castle.