Reese begins career with Red Raiders

Brad Reese was anxiously waiting for his introduction to Big 12 basketball late last week.

The former Laurel Hill star’s journey from north Okaloosa County to Texas Tech has been well chronicled.

Reese originally signed with Southeastern Louisiana, but things didn’t work out with the Lions. He redshirted as freshmen during the 2006-07 season and decided to transfer to Gulf Coast Community College.

While at Gulf Coast Reese developed into one of the most sought after junior college players in the country and eventually signed with Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders are coached by Chris Knight, the son of legendary Indiana coach Bobby Knight.
Reese wasn’t looking back as the season approached.

“Right now I’m probably going to rotate in with the top six or seven players,” he said. “I could start some games. Right now the coaches are trying to figure out how everyone fits together.”

“Everybody is going to play a lot these first few games. Everybody is looking forward tipping it off because it’s been a long time since we played. I’m not used to playing at this level but I’m making the adjustment.”

Reese had a chance to acclimate himself to life at Texas Tech while attending summer school. No formal basketball workouts are allowed during the summer, but the players can train with the strength and conditioning staff and play pickup games among themselves.

Once the preseason workouts officially started last month things changed in a hurry.

“In the preseason the coaches are with you all the time in practice,” Reese said. “That’s when you start going into the things you will do throughout the season.”

Reese likes what he sees in the Red Raiders, who might be an overlooked team in their conference.

“We are a very tough team,” he said. “We have some freshmen that have come in that can help as the sixth or seventh man, and they might be as good as starters.

“I think we are probably underrated. We only won 10 or 12 games last year. I think we are going to win a lot of games this year because of the talent level we have on the team.”

Reese has been busy soaking in the full college experience in the classroom where he is majoring in Human Science and Development with his eye on a career in coaching, to the extracurricular activities surround the Texas Tech campus and athletic program.

“Things are going real good,” Reese said. “I’m playing good and my academics are good. The people are friendly.

“I’m enjoying being in a different place than Florida. I support all our teams, but I’m looking forward to playing myself.”

Reese understands and appreciates the opportunity before him and plans to savor every minute.

“Playing at a small high school I didn’t have a chance to always play against top talent,” he said. “But I thank God for the opportunity to play Division I, and I’m really looking forward to it.”