Neil Reed
Burgess Neil Reed (November 29, 1975 – July 26, 2012) was an American college basketball player and later a high school teacher and coach.[1][2] Reed played as a guard for Indiana University from 1995 to 1998 under coach Bob Knight, appearing in 76 games and averaging 2.9 points per game.[3] He transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi for the 1998–99 season, where he started all 28 games, led the team in assists (3.9 per game), and averaged 7.5 points per game.[4] Reed became nationally known in 2000 when videotape footage emerged of Knight grabbing him by the throat during a 1997 practice, an incident that intensified scrutiny of Knight's volatile coaching methods and contributed to the coach's eventual dismissal from Indiana in 2000.[5][6] After college, Reed worked as a teacher and coached basketball and golf at Pioneer Valley High School in Santa Maria, California, until his sudden death from cardiac arrest at age 36.[7][8] Despite the notoriety of the Knight incident, contemporaries remembered Reed for his resilience, skill as a point guard, and positive influence as an educator.[9]Early Life
High School Career and Recruitment
Neil Reed began his high school basketball career at South Spencer High School in Reo, Indiana, during his freshman year before transferring to Bloomington South High School for his sophomore season. These early experiences in Indiana exposed him to the state's intense basketball culture, fostering an early admiration for Indiana University coach Bob Knight.[5] Reed then returned to his hometown area in Metairie, Louisiana, completing his junior and senior years at East Jefferson High School, where he emerged as a standout performer.[10] At East Jefferson, the 6-foot-2 point guard earned all-state honors and was selected as a McDonald's All-American, highlighting his skills as a quick, playmaking guard.[11] In February 1994, as a senior, he was named Amateur Athlete of the Month by the Allstate Sugar Bowl committee for his basketball achievements.[12] Despite interest from multiple programs, Reed's recruitment centered on Indiana University, reflecting his lifelong fandom of Hoosiers basketball rooted in his Indiana high school years.[13] He took only one official visit—to Indiana—before committing to play for Knight, drawn by the program's legacy and the coach's reputation.[13] As a highly touted recruit alongside peers like Andrae Patterson, Reed was viewed as a key addition to Indiana's backcourt.[14][15]College Career at Indiana University
Playing Statistics and Role
Neil Reed, a 6-foot-2 guard, primarily filled the point guard role on the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team from 1994 to 1997 under coach Bob Knight.[16][17] In Knight's motion offense, which relied on continuous ball movement, spacing, and defensive reads, Reed handled primary ball-handling duties, facilitating plays and contributing as a perimeter scorer.[18] His familiarity with the system, instilled by his father from an early age, allowed him to adapt quickly despite initial adjustment challenges.[18] Reed's statistical output grew progressively, reflecting his transition from rotational player to key starter. In his freshman season (1994–95), he appeared in 30 games with 17 starts, averaging 23.5 minutes, 5.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 38.3% from the field and 31.0% from three-point range.[16] As a sophomore (1995–96), he started 28 of 31 games, boosting his averages to 32.3 minutes, 10.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and a team-high 4.4 assists, with improved efficiency at 45.5% field goal and 45.5% three-point shooting.[16] His junior year (1996–97) saw him in 33 games with 26 starts, posting 30.6 minutes, 12.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, maintaining solid percentages of 41.5% from the field, 40.4% from three, and leading the Big Ten with an 85.4% free-throw rate.[16] Over his Indiana career, Reed played 94 games, accumulating 920 points (9.8 per game), 219 rebounds, and 285 assists, with overall shooting marks of 41.9% from the field, 40.6% from three, and 80.1% from the free-throw line.[16] These figures underscored his development into a reliable backcourt contributor in a defense-oriented system, though the Hoosiers posted records of 19–12, 19–12, and 21–12 during his seasons, without advancing past the NCAA Tournament's second round.[19][20][21]| Season | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–95 | 30 | 17 | 23.5 | 5.9 | 1.7 | 2.5 | .383 | .310 | .667 |
| 1995–96 | 31 | 28 | 32.3 | 10.5 | 2.4 | 4.4 | .455 | .455 | .802 |
| 1996–97 | 33 | 26 | 30.6 | 12.6 | 2.9 | 2.2 | .415 | .404 | .854 |
| Career | 94 | 71 | 28.8 | 9.8 | 2.3 | 3.0 | .419 | .406 | .801 |
Relationship with Coach Bob Knight
Neil Reed, a native of Bloomington, Indiana, developed an early admiration for Bob Knight, idolizing the Indiana University basketball program during his high school years in the early 1990s.[5] He committed to Indiana over the University of Kentucky in 1994, drawn by Knight's enduring presence and the opportunity to play for his childhood hero.[5] During his time at Indiana from 1994 to 1997, Reed initially experienced pride in representing the program, particularly in his early games, where he recalled the thrill of wearing an Indiana jersey despite efforts to appear composed.[6] Knight valued Reed's work ethic and resilience, publicly praising him as the only tough player on the team in certain positions, which positioned Reed as a favorite early on.[5] As a guard averaging around 10 points per game in high school, Reed contributed to the Hoosiers' 1996-97 squad that won the National Invitation Tournament but exited the NCAA Tournament in the first round.[6] However, the relationship deteriorated by Reed's junior year, marked by Knight's demanding coaching style that imposed superhuman expectations and escalating pressure on players.[6] Knight advised Reed to transfer following the 1996-97 season, prompting Reed's departure from the program.[6] Despite the strains, Reed later expressed ambivalence toward Knight's 2000 dismissal from Indiana, stating he was not pleased with the firing and did not wish to see Knight suffer, reflecting a complex lingering regard amid the hardships endured.[6] Their final conversation highlighted Reed's disillusionment, as he remarked that Indiana was no longer what it once was.[6]Transfer and Later College Career
University of Southern Mississippi
Following his dismissal from the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team in March 1997, Reed transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi, sitting out the 1997–98 season due to NCAA transfer eligibility requirements.[22] He joined the Southern Miss Golden Eagles as a senior guard for the 1998–99 season in Conference USA (C-USA).[16] Reed appeared in all 28 games for Southern Miss, starting each one and averaging 35.1 minutes per game. He led the team in scoring with 18.1 points per game, complemented by 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. His shooting efficiency included 48.7% field goal percentage (5.5 made on 13.8 attempts), 35.6% from three-point range (2.4 made on 6.7 attempts), and 84.5% from the free-throw line (4.7 made on 5.5 attempts).[4][16] Reed's contributions helped the Golden Eagles to a 13–17 overall record and 5–11 in C-USA play. His standout performance earned him a spot on the All-C-USA Second Team, recognizing him as one of the conference's top performers.[23][16] This season marked the conclusion of Reed's collegiate playing career.[4]Academic and Athletic Outcomes
Reed transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi following the 1997–98 academic year, sitting out the basketball season per NCAA transfer eligibility rules. In his lone playing season with the Golden Eagles during 1998–99, Reed delivered a standout athletic performance, appearing in all 28 games while averaging 35.1 minutes per contest. He led the team in scoring at 18.1 points per game, complemented by 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. His free-throw accuracy stood at 84.5%, ranking among the conference leaders, while he shot 40.0% from the field and 35.6% from beyond the arc on high volume.[16] [4]| Statistic | Per Game Average |
|---|---|
| Points | 18.1 |
| Rebounds | 3.3 |
| Assists | 2.0 |
| FG% | 40.0% |
| 3P% | 35.6% |
| FT% | 84.5% |