Just one week ago, 5-star prospect and then-Grovetown star Derrion Reid decided to forego his senior season with the Warriors’ program he helped lead to a state championship two seasons ago, opting instead to close out his high school career at Prolific Prep in Windsor, Calif.
When the news broke via X (formerly known as Twitter) last Monday, Reid initially declined comment. Grovetown boys basketball coach Darren Douglas confirmed Reid’s departure with The Augusta Press at that time.
Since then, we’ve been able to catch up with Reid, and the 6-foot-7 forward shared with us his reasons for making the move, what — if anything — it had to do with Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and the difficulty in choosing California over the place he calls home.
STOVALL: What were the main factors that went into your decision to choose to go to California for your senior season in high school?
REID: “The main factors for me making this choice were me looking at where it could take me in a couple years with their development and professional level of training, and just the way those things could work with me getting better everyday, as well as me playing against a high level of competition.”
STOVALL: Was it a difficult decision for you to leave Grovetown, and if so, what made it so hard?
REID: “Yes, it was a very difficult decision because I’m knowing that I was going to be leaving behind friends, family and my Grovetown teammates. But it was all about looking at the bigger picture in the end, and seeing myself towards the finish line of my high school career. And everyone around me, including my family and friends, understood that. So I had meetings with my family before the decision, and the whole thing was very thought through.”
STOVALL: You accomplished a great deal at Grovetown and with coach Darren Douglas. How would you say your three years in that system have prepared you to take this step?
REID: “I would say these three years at Grovetown helped me to develop mentally and physically, and Coach D was a great, great coach, along with the rest of the staff. And, really, Grovetown’s program is what has helped me to turn into the player I am today which helped me to make this jump to this next level.”
STOVALL: Much has been made lately of highly recruited athletes such as yourself moving on to prestigious prep schools to get more exposure and even NIL money, now that that’s more in play for high school athletes. How much or how little did any of those things weigh into your decision to make this move?
REID: “NIL wasn’t, in anyway, a main factor in the conversation I had with those closest to me. It was all based on my development, my goals and what path is going to get me there to becoming the player I want to be. I wasn’t given any money to make this decision, and even after the decision was made, I haven’t been given any. This decision and move was strictly basketball related. Not saying that NIL is not a benefit, because it is something I have the chance to get, but it is not something that was automatically given.”
STOVALL: When do you actually leave for California, and what are you doing to prepare yourself for such a huge step so far away from home?
REID: “ Right now, I’m supposed to be leaving for Cali in two weeks. We are still getting some of the little things and details confirmed, but two weeks from is the plan.”
STOVALL: What Will you miss most about the Augusta area and specifically, playing at Grovetown?
REID: “I’m definitely going to miss my family for sure, and old teammates and my current teammates I had at Grovetown along with the entire coaching staff. And just people I grew up with around here. I’ll never forget that this is where No. 35 all started.
STOVALL: How big of a deal is it to you personally to be a kid from a place like Augusta who’s able to make such a major move?
REID: “Man, it’s great knowing that there’s a little kid somewhere looking at me saying it can be done and knowing it’s possible. I just hope to be able to inspire a kid out there with what I do.”
STOVALL: Last question for you, Derrion: What parts of your game do you feel like you need to improve immediate in order to compete at this higher level?
REID: “I feel I can always get bigger, stronger and faster. And I also want to develop an even more consistent shot. I think those things will definitely help me to get there.”
