Senior Chastity Reed's storybook career at
UALR has people everywhere knowing her name.
Most people see the competitive player side on the court where yelling,
facial expressions, and made shots are seen.
The other side that most people don't know about is the intelligent,
artistic, and caring person that will graduate in May with a degree in health
and exercise science. With the WNBA
draft today, it is time for people to know the real Chastity Reed.
The
Player and Competitor
The 6-1 forward from New
Orleans, La. started her freshman season averaging just 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds,
but finished her career with 2,207 points, 896 rebounds, and numerous UALR
career records including scoring and rebounding.
Everyone knows the number
20. “Reed” doesn't even have to be on
the back of the jersey. Sometimes her
competitive drive might have given off the wrong impression on the court, but
her leadership helped the Trojans to four 20-win seasons, four Sun Belt West
Division titles, four post-season appearances including two-straight NCAA
berths, and the team's first-ever Sun Belt Conference Tournament title.
“Those four years has been
some of the best experiences I have had,” said Reed. “I have learned about so much. I have learned about basketball. I have learned how the whole game works from
the inside. I have learned how to watch
film, and hopefully, that will help me later on in life. I learned how to work hard in everything I
do. I think I will take that with me for
the rest of my life wherever I do go.”
The
Future
“I am going to be the
first person to be a millionaire who never worked a 9 to 5,” said Reed.
Whether she is drafted
today or goes overseas, her future is bright.
But don't pass her off as just a basketball player. After the NCAA tournament, I asked her about
the upcoming draft and all Reed was focusing on was graduating.
In May, Reed will graduate
from UALR with a degree in health and exercise science. This is just as big a milestone as her career
points.
As far as continuing on
with basketball, Reed is fine with the WBNA or overseas.
“Either way will be fine
with me,” said Reed. “Either one is
about the same. The WNBA will be intense,
but if you go play in Europe, it will be about the same intensity level. I would go anywhere. Hopefully, I will get to do both.”
Basketball is not the only
thing on Reed's mind, as she plans to her education. “I want to get into a masters degree program
and take online classes my first couple of years,” said Reed. “Since I won't have many friends if I do go
overseas, that will give me something to do with my time.”
When basketball ends and
the uniforms are tucked away, Reed wants to coach. She wants to give back what she learned at
UALR in a positive way.
“After I am done with
basketball, I would not mind coaching, but I really don't want to coach high
school girls,” said Reed. “If I have to
go to the high school level, I would rather coach boys. I think that would match nice with me. Coaching college girls would be ideal.”
Everyone will be watching
today to see if Reed becomes the first UALR women's basketball player selected in
the WNBA draft.
“If I do get drafted, I do
not care which team it is,” said Reed. “I
will work hard wherever I go.”
The
Individual
Besides the basketball
player or the college graduate, Reed is also a caring person who still loves
her city of New Orleans and who greets fans with a caring smile. Her tough player mentality overshadows the
real Chastity Reed.
In press conferences after
the Sun Belt Tournament Championship, Reed talked about her teammates, her
coach, the fans, and the city of Little Rock.
That is the real Chastity Reed.
When asked to say one
thing about herself that outside people don't know, she gave this reply.
“On the exterior I might
be kind of tough, but I really do have a good heart, and I do care about
people, especially if they show me that they care about me,” said Reed. “If I do consider someone a friend or close
to me, it will be like that for life. I
treat them with the upmost respect. No
attitude whatsoever.”
