Ulysses Reed
Encyclopedia
Ulysses Reed is a former college basketball
player for the Arkansas Razorbacks
, perhaps best known for the half-court buzzer beating shot he sank during the 1981 NCAA Tournament.
, Ron Brewer
and Marvin Delph
- and was a key part of the team that made it to the 1978 NCAA Final Four
, finishing third after losing to eventual champion Kentucky Wildcats
in the opening game.
A guard, Reed broke into the starting line-up for the Razorbacks in his sophomore year and was a starter for the remainder of his career.
In 1979, Reed was instrumental in helping Arkansas to a very successful season following the loss of Brewer and Delph. The team, captained by Moncrief, made it to the NCAA Regional Finals
before losing to the Larry Bird
-led Indiana State Sycamores
. In the game, Reed was called for traveling after he tripped at the 1:02 mark and the Sycamores held on for the final shot. Bob Heaton scored at the buzzer, giving ISU a 73-71 win and a trip to the Final Four, where they finished second to Magic Johnson
and the Michigan State Spartans
.
Following that season, Reed played as a member of the gold medal-winning US team at the 1979 World University Games, joining such teammates as Kevin McHale
, Jeff Ruland
and Andrew Toney
.
The 1981 NCAA Tournament
featured the shot that turned Reed into a recognizable face in the history of the NCAA tournament. In the second round of the tournament, the Southwest Conference champion Razorbacks were playing the defending NCAA tournament champion Louisville Cardinals
in Austin, Texas
. Trailing by one, the Razorbacks threw the ball to Reed after a timeout. With only five seconds remaining, he was unable to get the ball to any of his teammates, including future NBA players Darrell Walker
and Scott Hastings
, and took a desperation shot from beyond the mid-court line as the clock expired. The ball ripped through the net, giving Arkansas a 74 to 73 victory (this game was prior to the advent of the 3-point shot in the college game). The team lost their next game against the LSU Tigers
.
Reed ranks number 21 on the Arkansas all-time scoring list at the start of the 2008-2009 season with 1,260 points. Only 6 foot 2 inches tall (though he played center in high school), he led the Razorbacks in blocked shots in 1979 with 30. A member of three Southwest Conference championship teams, Reed ended up playing in four NCAA Tournaments during his tenure and was named National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District in 1980 and 1981.
by the Kansas City Kings
, though he never played in the NBA. He played one season for the Montana Golden Nuggets
of the Continental Basketball Association
. He hurt his knee the next season in training camp with the San Antonio Spurs
and never played professionally again.
Reed has returned to his hometown of Pine Bluff, Arkansas
where he is a real estate investor and a minister at Deeper Revelation International Ministry. He spent one year as assistant coach for the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player for the Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
, perhaps best known for the half-court buzzer beating shot he sank during the 1981 NCAA Tournament.
College career
Fresh from an Arkansas state championship at Pine Bluff High School, Reed joined the Arkansas team in 1977, at the height of the success of the Triplets -- Sidney MoncriefSidney Moncrief
Sidney A. Moncrief is a retired American professional basketball player. As an NCAA college basketball player from 1975–1979, Moncrief led the University of Arkansas Razorbacks trio known as "The Triplets" to the 1978 Final Four, which ended in a win in the NCAA Consolation Game versus #6 Notre Dame...
, Ron Brewer
Ron Brewer
Ronald Charles Brewer is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'4" guard from the University of Arkansas, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 1978 NBA Draft.-Prep years:Brewer played basketball at Fort Smith Northside High School, leading the...
and Marvin Delph
Marvin Delph
Marvin Delph is a retired American basketball player, who experienced his greatest success at the college level.In high school, Delph led the Conway Wampus Cats to two state basketball championships, in 1973 and 1974....
- and was a key part of the team that made it to the 1978 NCAA Final Four
1978 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1978 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 32 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 11, 1978, and ended with the championship game on March 27 in St. Louis, Missouri...
, finishing third after losing to eventual champion Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats are the men's and women's intercollegiate athletic squads of the University of Kentucky , a founding member of the Southeastern Conference...
in the opening game.
A guard, Reed broke into the starting line-up for the Razorbacks in his sophomore year and was a starter for the remainder of his career.
In 1979, Reed was instrumental in helping Arkansas to a very successful season following the loss of Brewer and Delph. The team, captained by Moncrief, made it to the NCAA Regional Finals
1979 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1979 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 40 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 9, 1979, and ended with the championship game on March 26 in Salt Lake City, Utah...
before losing to the Larry Bird
Larry Bird
Larry Joe Bird is a former American NBA basketball player and coach. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish...
-led Indiana State Sycamores
Indiana State Sycamores
The Indiana State University Sycamores are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Indiana State University. They are members of the Missouri Valley Conference, joining in the 1977-78 academic year; past conference memberships include the Indiana College Athletic League , the Indiana Intercollegiate...
. In the game, Reed was called for traveling after he tripped at the 1:02 mark and the Sycamores held on for the final shot. Bob Heaton scored at the buzzer, giving ISU a 73-71 win and a trip to the Final Four, where they finished second to Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
and the Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans are the athletic team that represent Michigan State University. The school's athletic program includes 25 varsity sports teams. Their mascot is a Spartan warrior named Sparty, and the school colors are green and white...
.
Following that season, Reed played as a member of the gold medal-winning US team at the 1979 World University Games, joining such teammates as Kevin McHale
Kevin McHale
Kevin Edward McHale is a retired American professional basketball player and current head coach of the Houston Rockets. After his playing career, he worked for the Minnesota Timberwolves as the team's general manager and later its coach. He was fired as coach in June 2009...
, Jeff Ruland
Jeff Ruland
Jeffrey Alan Ruland is a retired American basketball player and current coach. He is the former head coach of the Iona Gaels men's college basketball team and current head coach of the UDC Firebirds men's college basketball team.-Early life and collegiate career:A 6'11", 280 lb center, Ruland...
and Andrew Toney
Andrew Toney
Andrew Toney is an American former professional basketball player who played for the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers from 1980 to 1988...
.
The 1981 NCAA Tournament
1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 48 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 12, 1981, and ended with the championship game on March 30 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
featured the shot that turned Reed into a recognizable face in the history of the NCAA tournament. In the second round of the tournament, the Southwest Conference champion Razorbacks were playing the defending NCAA tournament champion Louisville Cardinals
Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals are the athletic teams representing the University of Louisville. A member of the Big East Conference since 2005, they are known nationally as traditional powers in men's basketball, women's volleyball, and dance team...
in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. Trailing by one, the Razorbacks threw the ball to Reed after a timeout. With only five seconds remaining, he was unable to get the ball to any of his teammates, including future NBA players Darrell Walker
Darrell Walker
Darrell Walker is a retired American professional basketball player and coach. At 6'4" and 180 lb , he played as a guard...
and Scott Hastings
Scott Hastings (basketball)
Scott Alan Hastings is a retired American player in the National Basketball Association. His career spanned from 1982–1993 and he played forward/center for the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets.- College :Hastings played collegiate ball at the...
, and took a desperation shot from beyond the mid-court line as the clock expired. The ball ripped through the net, giving Arkansas a 74 to 73 victory (this game was prior to the advent of the 3-point shot in the college game). The team lost their next game against the LSU Tigers
LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers are the athletic teams of Louisiana State University. They participate in the NCAA's Division I, in the Southeastern Conference. It fields teams in 14 varsity sports . Its official team nickname is the Fighting Tigers and the school mascot is Mike the Tiger...
.
Reed ranks number 21 on the Arkansas all-time scoring list at the start of the 2008-2009 season with 1,260 points. Only 6 foot 2 inches tall (though he played center in high school), he led the Razorbacks in blocked shots in 1979 with 30. A member of three Southwest Conference championship teams, Reed ended up playing in four NCAA Tournaments during his tenure and was named National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District in 1980 and 1981.
Post collegiate career
Reed was selected in the 5th round (104th pick overall) of the 1981 NBA Draft1981 NBA Draft
The 1981 NBA Draft was the 35th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 9, 1981, before the 1981–82 season. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the USA Network. In this draft, 23 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball...
by the Kansas City Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, though he never played in the NBA. He played one season for the Montana Golden Nuggets
Montana Golden Nuggets
The Montana Golden Nuggets are a former Continental Basketball Association that played from 1980/81 to 1982/83.Montana reached the CBA finals in 1981 and 1983, with George Karl earning Coach of the Year honors both seasons....
of the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
. He hurt his knee the next season in training camp with the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
and never played professionally again.
Reed has returned to his hometown of Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff is the largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area...
where he is a real estate investor and a minister at Deeper Revelation International Ministry. He spent one year as assistant coach for the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans.