Basketball Is Secondary: Why Tarris Reed Jr. Chose God Over 'Worldly' Success

UConn Center Tarris Reed Jr. reveals why he stopped listening to secular music and how a single worship song changed his life forever.In this episode:UConn Huskies Center Tarris Reed Jr. joins Zach Schumaker for a powerful conversation about prioritizing God over the game. Tarris opens up about his transfer from Michigan to UConn, the anxiety of the portal, and the specific moment he moved from a "lukewarm" cultural faith to a fire-filled relationship with Jesus.We dive deep into his decision to cut out secular music, how he navigates the temptations of NIL money, and his "Foggy Glasses" metaphor for seeing the world. Tarris shares how he leads Bible studies in the locker room, the challenge of reading the Sermon on the Mount for the first time, and his "Plane Theory" for understanding the true magnitude of God.About Tarris Reed Jr.:Team: UConn Huskies (University of Connecticut)Former Team: Michigan WolverinesPosition: Center / ForwardKnown for: Paint dominance and outspoken faith.⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Tarris Reed Jr.'s Path to UConn 01:06 - The Transfer Portal: Anxiety vs. God's Plan 05:21 - The "Talking to Jesus" Moment: From Fan to Follower 07:20 - The Battle: Flesh vs. Spirit 11:04 - Leading in the Locker Room (Be a Thermostat, Not a Thermometer) 14:02 - Changing Your Identity on the Court 16:18 - Navigating NIL Money & Stewardship 20:54 - Confessing to Parents: The Turning Point 24:04 - The "Foggy Glasses" Metaphor 29:01 - Why I Stopped Listening to Secular Music 37:41 - The Discipline of Reading the Bible Daily 42:30 - The "Plane Theory": Understanding God's Greatness 59:17 - Legacy: Being a Man After God's Own Heart📚 Resources Mentioned:Song: "Talking to Jesus" by Brandon Lake / Elevation WorshipScripture: Matthew 5-7 (Sermon on the Mount)About Path of the Cross: Path of the Cross Podcast bridges the gap between the heart and the mind through raw testimonies and deep theological truth. Hosted by Zach Schumaker, we explore apologetics, Bible history, and the reality of suffering to equip the whole believer. Subscribe to discover not just what to believe, but why it matters.Check out Zach's other shows:The SchuZ Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOMleLQ1xZNiga5HlLG2dkAThe Iron Compass: https://www.youtube.com/@theironcompassshowConnect With Zach:Subscribe:(https://youtube.com/@PathoftheCrossPodcast?si=I8aPszhY_vvQbveb)Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachschumaker/X: https://x.com/ZachSchumakerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/zach.schuz.schumakerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachschumakerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachschumaker/Path of the Cross Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathofthecrosspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574915377314Hashtags: #TarrisReedJr #UConnHuskies #ChristianAthlete #NIL #CollegeBasketball #PathOfTheCross #Testimony #Faith #SecularMusic #UConn #POTCP Episode #2