Many
Rebel fans remember the name of Justin Reed, the former All-SEC forward who led
Ole Miss to a Sweet 16 appearance in basketball and is currently playing for the
Boston Celtics, but this Justin Reed is as dominate in baseball as Justin was
in basketball
The Jr Olympics, which gathers the top high school prospects
in the country, made their cut down to 24 players.
Justin Reed is on the
24 man roster.
Mississippi has not produced a Jr Olympics Finalist during
the Bianco era, but the Rebels have signed two other finalist during Bianco's tenure, as
Mark Holliman and Alex Presley were both finalist. Neither made the Final 21 man roster, but both
made the 24 man roster, which is called the "Finalist" roster.
As
a side note, Ole Miss commitments Matt Holliman (SS) and Jamie Johnson (OF) were
both invited to the tryouts and so was Ole Miss signee Cullan Kight (3B).
Justin
will arrive in Atlanta for the final cut on August 28th. They are going to cut
the roster down from 24 to 21 players and begin their journey in Mexico on September
11th.
Reed is much more than a franchise player for Ole Miss' baseball
squad, as he has a close knit of friends who are coveted by Ole Miss' football
program.
Justin Reed's family and Derrick Odom's (LB) family are very close, and Justin is also
good friends with the #3 ranked prospect in Mississippi in Anthony Dixon (RB).
Anthony Dixon's cousin just so happens to be the starting quarterback
for Hillcrest Christian, and Justin will be playing wide receiver and defensive
back for Hillcrest Christian this season.
This domino effect could be huge
for both Ole Miss' football and baseball programs.
Player
Profile
Height:
5' 11"
Weight: 185
60 Yard: 6.48
Position: CF
Grades: 3.1 GPA
/ Has not taken the ACT
From: Jackson, MS
High School: HillCrest Christian
The following information was revealed during
our interview with Justin
Reed:
What are your strengths on the field? "First of all,
my speed is a big advantage for my game. I can lay a bunt down, and at the same
time, I can hit to the opposite field."
What do you need to work on?
"I love it when a pitcher challenges me with a 92 MPH fastball. I can really
hit the fastball, but what I need to work on most is making sure I stay back on
the off speed stuff. Then I can hit it the opposite way."
What has
been your batting average during your high school career? "I hit .303 my
freshman year. I hit .545 my sophomore year, and I hit .508 my junior year at
Callaway."
You decided to transfer to HillCrest Christian? "Yes
sir."
What are you being recruited to play on the next level? "Centerfield.
I have played catcher my whole career at Jackson Callaway, but they are moving
me to centerfield at HillCrest. That is what I am going to play on the collegiate
level too."
Which AAU program do you play for? "The Mississippi
Stars."
What did you bat this summer? "I do not know, but I batted
.550 during the Jr Olympic trials, which was 3rd best out of the 140 players who
were invited."
Did you make the cut? "Yes sir, I made the Jr
Olympics 24 man team. They cut it down from 140 players to 32 then they cut it
down to 24. I am a Finalist. We start on August 27th in Atlanta. They are going
to cut 3 more people and then we head to Mexico on September 11th."
Where
do you stand in your recruitment process? "I committed to Ole Miss over the
weekend."
Why did you choose Ole Miss? "Several things. First
of all, this was the biggest decision of my life. I looked at like this, Mississippi
has a dominate baseball program at Ole Miss, so why would I have to leave the
state? I look at this as the best opportunity for me to get to the World Series.
I enjoyed the whole recruiting process. It was flattering having all of these
schools court me. But when it came down to it, I had to go with the staff that
I felt the most comfortable around. And plus, I know I have a good chance to play
early at Ole Miss, and I wanted to take advantage of that opportunity."
Which
colleges offered you a scholarship? "Of course, Ole Miss, and I had Alabama,
LSU, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, some school out of Florida, and Georgia. Hawaii
also wanted me to come, but it was way too far from home (laugh)."
Who
came in second place? "It would have to be MSU. I forgot about them."
Have
you informed the other staffs of your decision? "Well, not all of them, but
the ones that have called. They can call us once per week right now, and I am
telling them as they call. I just made this decision on Friday, so I have not
had a chance to talk to all of them yet. I should have that taken care of by the
end of the week."
I hear you are good friends with Jackson Callaway's
Derek Odom (LB)? "Yes sir, we are real/real close friends and so are our
families. Our families are real tight."
Have you spoken to Derek about
your decision? "Oh yea, he knows (laugh). I am working on him real hard."
What
is your current academic status? "I have a 3.1 core GPA, and I take my ACT
test for the first time in September."
To view Ole Miss' commitment
list, click
here.
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