Josh Reed may be listed as a forward on Penn State’s roster, but that label barely scratches the surface of what he’s brought to the Nittany Lions this season. Whether he’s operating on the wing, battling in the paint, or filling in at center, Reed has become one of the most reliable - and versatile - pieces in Mike Rhoades’ rotation.
And he’s not just filling gaps - he’s thriving. Reed has scored in double figures in eight straight games, and he’s doing it while often playing out of position and undersized. With Penn State’s frontcourt hit hard by injuries, Reed has been asked to shoulder a heavier load, sometimes taking on the role of a small-ball center despite giving up 30 to 40 pounds to his matchups.
“I commend Josh Reed for playing multiple positions all year long at 30-40 pounds out of position,” Rhoades said Tuesday. “Giving up that weight and then playing 30, sometimes 35 minutes plus. He's been battling, and he's had a great year, battling and getting better as the year went on.”
That grind-it-out mentality has defined Reed’s final year of college basketball. After transferring from Cincinnati, where he spent three seasons in a limited role, Reed has found a new gear in Happy Valley. He’s averaging a career-best 10.5 points per game on a highly efficient 50.9% shooting clip, and he’s started to look like a player who’s fully unlocked his potential.
The jump in production is eye-opening. At Cincinnati, Reed never averaged more than 4.8 points per game or shot above 41% from the field. At Penn State, he’s not just a role player - he’s a key contributor, and one of the team’s most consistent offensive weapons.
He’s made his presence felt on the glass too, averaging a career-high 3.9 rebounds per game - second on the team behind 7-footer Ivan Jurić. Reed’s knack for crashing the offensive boards has created extra possessions for a Penn State team that’s needed every edge it can get.
Just ask guard Freddie Dilione V, who praised Reed’s hustle after a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double in a narrow 74-72 loss to No. 2 Michigan back on Jan.
In his most recent outing, Reed once again showed why he’s become such a vital piece of the puzzle. Against USC, he poured in 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, added four rebounds, and knocked down a three in a tight 77-75 loss. He was one of just three Nittany Lions to finish with a positive point differential, logging 37 hard-earned minutes and finishing +1.
“Just trying to play confident and aggressive,” Reed said after the game. “I know how my coaches and my teammates have stressed they believe in me. I just want to win, so come out there and play aggressive and confident, and my teammates make me better as well.”
That confidence has been essential, especially during a stretch where the Nittany Lions were without key frontcourt players like Jurić, Saša Ciani, and Tibor Mirtič. At one point, the injury bug forced Reed to man the center spot out of necessity - a role he’d never filled before. But rather than shrink from the challenge, he embraced it.
Take the Feb. 1 game against Minnesota. With Penn State shorthanded, Reed - listed at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds - started at center and played 35 minutes.
He delivered 18 points and four rebounds while going 6-of-10 from the field and a scorching 4-of-5 from deep. More importantly, he helped lead the Lions to a 77-75 win.
“It was actually pretty fun getting to play the center spot,” Reed said after the game. “I feel like the way we played was a little bit different. I feel like that helped us … it was definitely fun doing that - something I've never done before.”
Of course, the small-ball experiment hasn’t always worked. When Penn State faced Michigan on Feb. 5, the size mismatch was glaring.
The Wolverines, led by 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara, overwhelmed the Lions in a 110-69 blowout. Rhoades didn’t sugarcoat it afterward, calling his team “undermanned.”
Still, the coaching staff has leaned into Reed’s versatility. According to KenPom, he’s played center 27% of the time over the last five games. It’s not a long-term solution - not in a Big Ten conference loaded with size - but it’s a wrinkle that can give Penn State a different look in spurts.
And Reed sees the upside. When he’s the one setting screens for guards like Kayden Mingo or Freddie Dilione V, it can flip traditional matchups and create mismatches all over the floor.
“I just felt like we were able to do some different things out there that we normally don't do,” Reed said on Feb. 3.
“When I'm setting a screen for Kayden or Freddie, they get the five-man on them, and then I get the one or two-man on me. I feel like we use those to our advantage.”
As Penn State inches closer to full health, Reed may not need to play the five as often. But the fact that he can - and do it effectively - is a testament to his growth, toughness, and basketball IQ.
No matter where he lines up, Josh Reed has become one of the most important players on this Nittany Lions squad. And with each game, he’s proving that versatility can be just as valuable as size.