Tarris Reed Jr. and the No. 2 seed UConn Huskies were able to advance to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament after upsetting Cameron Boozer and the No. 1 overall seed Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight. Now, they will turn their attention to Keaton Wagler and the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini with a spot in the national championship on the line.
Reed has arguably been Connecticut's best player throughout the 2025-26 college basketball season. The senior center from St. Louis is averaging 14.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 blocks per game, being named to the first-team All-Big East in the process. And Reed continued to shine against Duke, tallying 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting, nine rebounds and four blocks.
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During his two years at UConn, Reed has built a solid NIL portfolio, partnering with brands such as Randy Wise Automotive Team, CVS Pharmacy and New Era. He has even collaborated with the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy while dropping exclusive apparel on the Huskies' NIL store. But ahead of the Final Four, Reed has a new partnership to share.
On Friday, Reed took to social media to announce a new NIL deal with Wendy's, joining the fast food company's "Dunk Team." Other college basketball stars have also joined the campaign, including Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg, Illinois' Keaton Wagler and even UConn women's star Sarah Strong.
"I’m officially part of the Wendy’s Dunk Team now 🏀, Reed wrote on Instagram. "Time to grab a fry, grab a Frosty, and get to dunking. Order off of the Dunks Menu in the Wendy’s app to enter their Dunkstakes and you might just win big. #ad #WendysPartner @postgame.official @wendys"
Included in the post was a video of Reed promoting Wendy's dunk menu. Items included in the limited-time promotion include hot and crispy fries, 6-piece nuggets, 3-piece tenders and a chocolate or vanilla frosty.
"I'm partnering with Wendy's by joining their Dunk Team," Reed said. "I've been dunking all tournament long. But we all know the best dunks are the fries in the frosty, but don't forget about the nuggets in your favorite dipping sauces. Order off the Wendy's dunk menu in the Wendy's app."
Reed and UConn will take on Illinois on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. ET.
