Gonzaga transfer Efton Reid granted immediate eligibility at Wake Forest

Wake Forest will be able to play Efton Reid on Wednesday against Rutgers after the NCAA granted the two-time transfer immediate eligibility.

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons just added a big piece to their roster ahead of Wednesday’s game against Rutgers with the news that two-time transfer Efton Reid has been granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA.

The 7’0, 240-pound center was a five-star prospect out of IMG Academy and began his college career at LSU under Will Wade, where he started all 34 games as a freshman and averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 2021-22.

After the season, he transferred to Spokane, Washington to play for Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. However, the return of Drew Timme and the emergence of Anton Watson pushed Reid into a bench role and within a few weeks he was pushed just outside the rotation by backup Ben Gregg, who offered more floor spacing than Reid.

All told Reid appeared in 25 games for the Zags, playing 4.6 minutes per night and averaging 2.1 points, 1.0 rebounds, and shooting 62.2% from the field.

Reid hit the portal again this offseason and ultimately followed fellow former Gonzaga teammate Hunter Sallis to North Carolina to play at Wake Forest, where he should immediately step into a role for a team that has gotten very little production out of big men Matthew Marsh (2.5 points) and Zach Keller (2.7 points) in the frontcourt.

The Demon Deacons currently rank 328th in offensive rebounds per game and 289th in total rebounds per game, and Reid’s hulking frame and experience should provide a nice boost for coach Steve Forbes as they look to climb out of the cellar in the ACC this year.