Reed finds 'family' feeling on 49er court

By Phil Witte
Daily Forty-Niner

Travis Reed has finally found a home.

The 6-foot-8 junior forward is making his 49er debut this year after redshirting for a season after transferring from UCLA. The Beach is Reed's fifth team in seven years after three high schools in four years and making the switch from Westwood last year.

"At UCLA everything was so big and everyone kept to themselves," Reed said. "Long Beach is a nice, down-home school. We're a lot closer here and it's more like a family."

With Mate Milisa and Antrone Lee graduated, Reed will need to make his presence felt in the paint for the 49ers immediately.

"Travis is very strong and deceptively quick for a player his size," Head Coach Wayne Morgan said. "He is a great young man with tremendous character and a great personality and I expect him to have a great year."

After working this off-season on his strength and speed, Reed will be a force inside for the 49ers this year.
 
"I think I bring a winning attitude and an intensity to the team," Reed said. "I've worked on every part of my game to be the best player I can be."

Coming out of high school, Reed wanted a shot at the big time, which is why he chose UCLA over other schools recruiting him, including LBSU.

"I was a hometown boy and I saw all of my friends going to big schools, so I figured, 'why should I settle?'" the black studies major said.

Reed spent two years at UCLA, playing in 58 games and starting seven times. He also brings NCAA tournament experience with him, appearing in six games for the Bruins.

When the opportunity arose to transfer to The Beach, Reed jumped at the chance.

"I knew the coach pretty well because they recruited me in high school," the junior said. "I realized it really doesn't matter where you play for you to do your best. It's just the way things happen. Maybe God wanted me here all along."

Though ineligible to play, Reed practiced with the team last season.

"He is a monster to guard with his quickness around the basket and his strength," senior Grant Stone said. "He will be a big presence inside and a big part of our success."
 
"Down in the paint he can't really be stopped," said senior Ron Johnson.

Away from the court, Reed likes to relax and hang out with friends. He also enjoys playing video games and watching movies. He lists Barry Gordy's "The Last Dragon" as his favorite movie.

"I think I'm a down-to-earth person who is funny and cool to hang out with," Reed said.

"I've known Travis and been playing against him since the sixth grade and he is always smiling and talking to people because he seems to know everybody," senior Brad Smith said.

The third child in a family of seven, Reed said he had a very hectic childhood and did not get much attention as a middle child, but on the positive side he never felt alone. He also cited two memorable days from his past that led to coming to LBSU.

"The day I passed my SAT and I knew I was going to college was a very big day," Reed said. "Also, the second chance to come to Long Beach on a scholarship was a very happy day for me."

Reed has three tattoos on his upper body, one featuring a cross on his left arm, one with a pair of praying hands on his right, and one featuring a tribute to his grandmother on his chest.

"I got my first one when I was 15," Reed said. "My father said it was OK as long as I got something I believed in and not something stupid."

Morgan points out that one secret to Reed's success could be the fact that he is left-handed, something opposing defenders will have to adjust to against him.

Reed agrees to the benefits of being a southpaw.

"There's always a benefit to being left-handed because you can get away with stuff because people focus on what you're doing with the right," he said.

However he does it, Reed will be pivotal to The Beach's quest for the Big West title this year.

Caroline Limuti/Daily Forty-Niner

Lucky number 13, Travis Reed, looks for the basket. The junior redshirted last season after transferring from UCLA.