By Catherine Laroche
For the first time in his life, University of Louisville men’s basketball junior guard Reginald Delk is hearing students refer to him as “Reginald” or “Reggie”, instead of “Tony Delk’s nephew” or “twin”.
“It’s like I’m starting a new beginning,” Delk said. “Here, people call me by my first name and it’s unusual. It’s like I’m my own person.”
Making a name for himself can be difficult considering the Delk family basketball history.
His father, Rickie, was a four-time all-conference selection and three-time league-scoring champion at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn.
Delk’s older sister, Genevieve, played basketball at the University of South Alabama, while his twin brother, Richard, transferred from Mississippi State University to Troy University. He also has a younger sister, Gwen, who attends the University of Central Arkansas as a freshman. However, Delk’s most famous relative is his uncle, Tony, who played under U of L coach Rick Pitino at the University of Kentucky. Tony earned Most Outstanding Player honors while leading Kentucky to the 1996 NCAA Championship. He then went on to play 10 seasons in the NBA.
“It was good [watching Tony play basketball],” Delk said. “I wanted to be on the same level he was. It was great watching him.”
Delk said their relationship is just like any other uncle-nephew relationship.
“I can call him up and ask him about things I need to do and he can call me up and tell me things I need to do,” Delk said. “He’s taught me to go out and play hard.”
Delk is more inspired than anything to live up to the success of his father and uncle.
“I don’t feel pressure at all,” Delk said. “I want to be successful like them. It drives me to be up there with them. I want to be better.”
Delk however has an impressive resume himself.
Delk started 59 of 65 games in two seasons at Mississippi State before transferring to U of L. He averaged 9.5 points, two rebounds and 35.5 percent of his three-point attempts as a sophomore for the Bulldogs.
Delk hit 122-of-322 three-point goals and scored 602 points.
U of L head coach Rick Pitino compares him to a recent Cardinal graduate.
“Reginald Delk reminds me a lot of Brandon Jenkins with a little better jump shot, but not quite the defensive player,” stated Pitino on his Web site. “He has the same type of body and the same type of athleticism.”
After sitting out an entire season, Delk said he is ready to get back on the court.
“It was tough watching the game and not being a part of it,” Delk said. “I want to be a great defensive player and make the team better.”
What’s even tougher for Delk is that he’ll be playing on a different team from his twin brother for the first time.
“We’ve never played on a different team or even taken different classes from each other,” Delk said. “In the summer time it was tough. I would stay in my room all the time and call him. I’m getting used to it [being away from him] now.”
Whether it’s from his family’s basketball history or his promising basketball experience at Mississippi State, the bar is set high for him next season.
“I’ll take them [expectations],” Delk said. “I really don’t think about what people say about how good I am. I still have to get on the court and play.”
Students are really looking forward to seeing Delk hit the court in a U of L uniform, next season.
“From what I’ve seen, heard and read Reggie Delk is an exceptional talent,” Andy Knabel, junior sport administration, said. “With his versatility and skills he should add a much needed and experienced scoring threat to replace the loss of Earl Clark. I’m very excited about his potential performance. He should quickly develop into a fan-favorite.”
