Eric Reibe: ‘I’m like a Porzingis type of player’
Eric Reibe, the second-best center in his class, made headlines with his commitment to UConn, marking a major win for Dan Hurley and the Huskies as they secured their second top-25 recruit for the 2025 class. Reibe, a versatile 7-foot center, chose UConn over powerhouse programs like Kansas, Creighton, Indiana, and Oregon, citing UConn’s proven track record in player development and their recent success in sending players to the NBA as key reasons for his decision.
Originally from Germany, Reibe’s journey has taken him through Switzerland and Maryland, where he focused on finding a program that prioritizes development for big men over geographical concerns. He models his game after stars such as Kristaps Porzingis, Nikola Jokic, Dirk Nowitzki, Bam Adebayo, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis.
Ranked No. 23 in ESPN’s 2025 rankings, Reibe is known for his well-rounded game, with the ability to shoot, pass, and defend, making him a coveted prospect.
Speaking with HoopsHype last August, on behalf of Under Armour’s Elite 24, Reibe discussed his playstyle as a big who can pass, dribble, and shoot, his defensive improvements, his experience moving around the world, and more.
Under Armour – Elite 24
ER: It’s my versatility. I do a lot of pick and pops, pick and rolls, I can shoot, dribble, pass. I can also play defense, switch on guards.
ER: I mean, so I’m like a Porzingis type of player, that’s what some people compare me to. My biggest thing that I have to work on is my defense, you know, getting blocks outside of my area, getting rebounds outside of my area, that kind of defense.
Under Armour – Elite 24
ER: I don’t really look at the rankings like that. Every single site has their own people who do it. There’s a lot of politics behind it. I can influence like, there’s a lot of things going on behind the scenes. It’s not really always the best players who get ranked the highest. It’s more of all things and connections and that kind of stuff. So I don’t really look at it, for me, it’s not that important. I just want to play my game.
ER: The ability to play right away as a freshman, having a place for big guys, you know, where they’re involved in the offense and where I can develop and compete. I looked at college programs that are used to sending bigs to the league, that kind of thing.
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
ER: Kristaps Porzingis, with the height and the skills that he has. Some people also compare me to Jokic a little bit, but it’s mostly Porzingis for me.
Under Armour – Elite 24
ER: No, I was born in Germany. I lived there until I was 8, then I moved to Switzerland, where I started playing basketball. When I was 14, I moved back to Germany by myself. Then when I was 16, I moved over here to Maryland. My family is still in Germany.
ER: My passing. My passing ability from the top of the key or from the low post, I can pass to the corner or backdoor, all that kind of stuff.
Under Armour – Elite 24
ER: Obviously Porzingis. I look at Jokic, how he’s involved in the offense. I watch some old film of Dirk Nowitzki, I watch a bit of Bam [Adebayo], and his low-post work, that kind of stuff. I also watch a bunch of KD [Kevin Durant] and Anthony Davis stuff.
ER: For German history, it’s Dirk Nowitzki. All-time, I have to say Michael Jordan.
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