By Charlie Leffler
He’s a slasher. He’s a dasher. He’s Mister Pressure on defense.He’s Mister Reliable in the clutch. But regardless of how you lookat him, today’s Reece Gaines is a player who has come a long wayfrom when he first stepped onto U of L’s campus.
Four years ago, the thin, shy kid from Madison, Wisconsin, puton a Cardinal uniform for the first time, and he was immediatelyplaced under pressure. As a point guard, Gaines took the reins ofthe U of L basketball team and became only the twelfth freshman tostart in a season opener under coach Denny Crum in 29 years.
“When I came here, I was a little immature,” said Gaines. “I wasa little overwhelmed with the situation. I didn’t understand howbig basketball was here.”
As a freshman, Reece was so humble that he had a hard timelooking reporters in the eye during interviews. The 6’6″ guardwould pick a blank spot on the wall and stare at it while hetalked. “I was a little shy,” he said. However, the factor thatallowed Gaines to loosen up over the years has been having fun.”The more fun I have, the more relaxed I get.”
While his first season at U of L had its moments of fun, theyear ended in disappointment after disappointment. Gaines hadfinished the regular season third in C-USA in steals, 12th insteal-to-turnover ratio and 11th in assists. Over the last 22games, he averaged 10.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists.Regardless, Reece was greatly upset because he was spurned from aConference USA All-Freshman team that included Steven Hunter ofDePaul and Courtney Trask of Memphis. “I was a little immature atthe time,” said Gaines. “I was worried about winning awards andstuff, and I should have been worried about winning the nextgame.”
The following day, the Cards fell to Saint Louis in their firstgame of the C-USA tournament, which many felt they could win. Aweek later, Louisville was upset by Gonzaga in the first round ofthe NCAA tournament. While some players laughed and joked in thepostgame locker room, Gaines stayed in a corner by himself,reluctant to talk to anyone. “I took the losses seriously even as ayoung kid.”
“I think at the time, when you’re young, you think you’re goingto experience going to the tournament every day,” said Gaines. “Youdon’t appreciate those things when you’re young. I didn’tappreciate the chance that I had. I wish I could go back and changesome things now.” Reece’s drive and will to win ate at him.
As a sophomore, Gaines had to endure a season of turmoil, bothon and off the court. As losses mounted, the fate of Crum came intodoubt. “It was very difficult,” Reece said. “I enjoyed playing forCoach Crum; I thought he was a great coach. He did a lot for theuniversity and a lot for Louisville basketball, and to see thatgoing on was pretty tough. Along with the losing aspect of it, itwas probably one of the hardest years I’ve ever had.”
On the court, however, Reece’s individual game improved. He ledthe conference in 3-point percentage at .426, was Louisville’sassist leader, and was honored as one of The Sporting News’ Top 20point guards.
Nevertheless, when Crum announced his retirement prior to theend of the season, rumors circulated that Gaines would transfer. “Idon’t think I was considering transferring,” said Reece. “Of courseit came across my mind, being as I didn’t know who the new coachwas going to be, because if they got a coach in here that didn’tlike me or didn’t want me to be here, then they’d ask me to leave.”Suddenly, Reece’s basketball world was spun round, and he wasunsure of his future as a Cardinal. “There was a lot of guessinggoing around because I didn’t know who was going to be coach.”
When former University of Kentucky head coach Rick Pitino wasannounced to replace Crum, Gaines reexamined his situation.
Under the tenacious drive of Pitino, Gaines was remade into anew man. Reece, the good player, became Reece, the most dangerousplayer in college basketball. Through conditioning and building hisstrength, Gaines’ game took a major leap.
“I enjoy playing for Coach Pitino,” Reece said. “I’m having alot of fun playing ball again.”
It seemed that Gaines had suddenly found a style of basketballthat matched his intensity. However, with all of the trainingprovided by the new coach, there was one area that could not beimproved upon.
“He is may be the fiercest competitor that I’ve ever coached,”said Pitino. “I’ve never been around anyone that in a one-on-onedrill, in individual instruction, a drill he’s done hundreds oftimes, he still wants to win.”
Looking back at his career now, even though Gaines has regrets,he probably wouldn’t trade a moment if it means changing where heis at today. “It’s been great,” Reece said. “I’ve learned a lot andbecome such a better ball player from the day I got here, it’samazing. To learn from two of the best coaches who have probablyever coached is a great experience. I’ll never forget it.”
