Meet the 2004 Crimson Tide: Junior Guard Jason Reese
3/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Matt Hooper
UA Media Relations
As this season's first meeting between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the rival Auburn Tigers drew to a close, a familiar chant emerged from the crimson-clad contingent behind the west-side goal in Coleman Coliseum.
One student rose and questioned his peers: "Who do we want?" Invariably the answer returned: "REESE!" Over and over the chant continued until head coach Mark Gottfried appeased the crowd, pointed to the bench, and arguably the most popular Crimson Tide basketball player in recent memory with a goose-egg in the scoring column, found himself on the court.
With only a few seconds remaining, and following a missed Tiger free throw, Jason Reese raced down to the Alabama goal, caught an outlet pass from senior guard Demetrius Smith, and ended two years of frustration by scoring in his first points of his Capstone career on a tough lay-up.
In the following interview, Jason describes how special those first points were, what it's like to be a fan favorite, and why Michael Bolton has a special place in his heart.
Jason, in the eyes of most members of "Mark's Madness," you are the fan favorite. How does it make you feel when you hear one of the several "REESE" cheers begin to rumble from the student section?
"Well, it makes me feel good. First, it means we're winning, and second, it means that chances are I'm going to be getting into the game. That's why I practice hard every day, to get into the games. I guess it gets me a little nervous, but I'm always ready to go."
That popularity began during your days at Briarwood Christian High School, where you finished your career as one of the most decorated players in school history. Tell us how the lessons you learned from coaches Chris Laatsch and Tim Margene have prepared you for SEC basketball.
"They taught me that the only way I was ever going to get better was through hard work, and they pushed me the hardest during practice. I practiced hard everyday and it is because of them that I am here today."
In your senior year, Briarwood advanced to the 3A State Championship game against Francis Marion. Despite your 30 first half points, the Lions came up short in the end. How disappointing was it to return home without a ring?
"It was really disappointing because I grew up playing with my teammates ever since the sixth grade. We really worked hard to get there and it was just frustrating that we couldn't win it. We were so close, and I still think about it all the time."
After high school, you enrolled the University of Alabama at Birmingham and spent one season with the Blazers before transferring to Tuscaloosa. What was the UAB experience like?
"It showed me that I had a lot of work to do. Everything was so much faster and just about everybody was bigger than me. I had to tweak some things about my game just to adjust. It was a positive experience; I learned a lot of things from the players and coaches."
How has the UA experience been so far?
"This is the greatest experience of my life. I grew up an Alabama fan and used to go the all the games with my family, back when Sprewell and Horry were here. Growing up, this is where I always wanted to go, and it is a dream come true to put on that crimson and white jersey."
Scoring the lay-up against Auburn at home earlier this year had to be very special. What was going through your mind during the play and how did you feel when the ball dropped for you?
"I remember it was after a free throw, and Demetrius (Smith) got the ball and I took off down the court. He hit me in stride and it was pretty much an easy lay-up. I just wanted to get there as fast as I could. When it went in and the place exploded and I saw my teammates smiling and waving towels it was really exciting for me. They knew how hard I had worked and they were excited too. It was a great overall feeling."
What about life after basketball?
"Well, if I don't declare for the draft after this season, I'll graduate next year and would like to go into something in the field of public relations."
Enlighten us on your taste in music. What's your favorite song?
"I'll say this: nothing does it for me quite like when Michael Bolton sings 'When a Man Loves a Woman.'"
What is your favorite basketball movie and why?
"'Hoosiers.' It shows the beauty of high school basketball and illustrates the fact that anything can happen if you believe in yourself."
If you could address the "Mark's Madness" crew directly, what would you tell them?
"Thanks for always chanting my name and reminding coach Gottfried that I'm on the bench. You have been great for my career and I really appreciate it."
