Skip to content Skip to footer

Michigan’s Tarris Reed Jr. gifted saxophone as part of NIL deal: ‘It’s fantastic’

Tarris Reed
Photo credit: Courtesy of Michigan

Michigan freshman basketball player Tarris Reed Jr. was gifted an alto saxophone from Cameron’s Music in Livonia, Michigan as a part of an NIL deal with the store.

Reed, who said that he’s played the baritone saxophone for the majority of his life, says that he played the alto saxophone since sixth grade, so he was thrilled to play the instrument for the first time since middle school.

RELATED: Michigan’s Jake Moody using NIL to support Mott Children’s Hospital

“Honestly, it’s a huge opportunity and blessing,” Reed Jr. said, via Maize n Brew. “It’s really a different experience playing alto; I get to expand my range with the saxophone.”

Ken Cameron, a big Michigan fan who owns the store, was wearing Wolverines gear when then presented Reed with the gift. He admitted that he was thankful to gift something to Reed that was not related to basketball.

“It’s fantastic. Right from the beginning, I thought it was a great marriage of ideas,” Cameron said. “Music and sports, he’s a fine young man. I loved (the idea) right from the start. It’s a great opportunity, and we’re very grateful to be a part of it.”

When Reed was in middle school, his mother encouraged him to play an instrument and since then, he’s never looked back. 

RELATED: Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, Darrius Clemons ink NIL deals with local car dealership

“Going into middle school, I didn’t really know what to do. It was either choir or play an instrument,” Reed explained. “My mom said ‘try an instrument,’ so first it was trumpet. I was going to try trumpet, but eventually alto (saxophone) was the one that really gained my attention, so that’s what I picked.”

Reed, the 6-foot-10 center, is the highest ranked commit from Michigan’s 2022 recruiting class.