The college basketball season is just one week old, and while it may feel far too early to start tossing around the label of ‘moments of the year,’ it’s hard to imagine Jayden Reid’s postgame interview following Memphis’ win over VCU on Saturday not standing the test of time.
Reid, who transferred from Northwestern to play for Penny Hardaway’s squad this season, has been an absolute force for the Tigers through their first two games.
After scoring 26 points in the team’s upset over Iowa State to begin the year, he followed that up with a 32-point performance in his home debut for the Tigers in their 89-88 victory over the Rams.
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Memphis’ guard Jayden Reid (0) brings the ball up the court during the game between VCU and Memphis at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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As the game’s leading scorer who also hit two free throws with five seconds remaining to hand Memphis the win, Reid joined the Tigers’ radio network on the floor for a postgame interview.
While he eventually answered a few questions about the contest, those came after he broke down in tears and expressed extreme gratitude for the opportunity.
Memphis’ Jayden Reid (0) reacts after making a layup and drawing a foul during the game between VCU and Memphis at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on November 7, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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“I’m just so thankful, I’m just thankful man,” Reid said through the tears. “God blessed me so much to be in that position. I always prayed for this. I’m just thankful for God putting me in a great position coming to Memphis out of the [transfer] portal. I’m just so thankful for my coaches and my teammates; it’s a big-time win at home.”
There aren’t many players who would show that sort of emotion after picking up a win over an unranked team in game two of the season, which makes the vulnerable moment that much better.
Reid, a Westbury, New York, native, began his college career at USF, where he played two seasons before transferring to Northwestern. He averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game for the Big Ten squad before entering the portal again and taking his talents to Memphis.
Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway yells from the sideline during a college basketball game between Memphis Tigers and the North Texas Mean Green on February 15, 2024 at The Super Pit in Denton, TX. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Through two games this season, Reid is averaging 29 points per game, which is the second-best mark in all of college hoops. He’s also turned the basketball over three times in two games, which is a stat his head coach will certainly appreciate.