Reeves, Collins bonded by more than Final Four
Bryant Reeves was just trying to make it.
Away from tiny Gans for the first time in his life, Stillwater felt like a big place, even for a 7- foot man who would become known as “Big Country.”
Something about a 6-foot-6 forward from big-city Joliet, Illinois, made Reeves more comfortable as a young freshman at Oklahoma State.
Terry Collins was reserved, pretty impressive with a basketball and he liked to fish.
An instant friendship formed.
“It just happened — and I
don't know why or how —we just clicked from Day 1,” Reeves said. “We just kept that bond growing and it kept growing stronger.”
Nearly three decades later, Reeves and Collins are more than teammates and fishing buddies. They're best friends who forged an unlikely friendship that will last their lifetime.
As OSU celebrates the 25th anniversary of the 1995 Final Four team Saturday, the Cowboys' superstar player and starting forward remain connected through friendship, family and basketball.
Reeves is back home in Gans. Collins is the boys basketball coach at nearby Muldrow High School. Their sons have been high school teammates. Their daughters currently are teammates.
“It means the world to me because i t's a rarity to have someone you can call and talk to and count on,” Collins said. “I believe I'm definitely blessed to be able to have that friendship.”
In 1991, Reeves and Collins were the Cowboys' lone recruits from the high school level. That was a fast connection. After their junior season, they rented an apartment together.
That next season, Reeves became the talk of the country. His shattered backboard in a Final Four practice remains the highlight to fans.
“It just amplified everything,” Collins said. “We were one of the top teams and then all of a sudden he goes and shatters the back board. That adds more publicity. That's a rarity.”
After the season, Reeves became a first-round pi ck by t he Vancouver Grizzlies. Reeves traveled the country in the NBA. Collins went back
to Illinois.
But they never lost contact. They were even each other's best man.
Collins started a yearly tradition to visit Reeves in Gans for the Fourth of July, staying a week or two each time.
“It's one of those places you always want to come back to and visit,” Collins said. “It's just like coming back home, really.”
By 2013, Collins made eastern Oklahoma his home.
His wife, Donnell a, wanted to be closer to her hometown Muskogee. She got a teaching position at Muldrow, while Terry coached travel basketball.
They lived with the Reeves for nearly two years. Friends became even more like family in a perfect situation.
Bryant and Terry's relationship strengthened.
Their children grew closer. Trevor Reeves and Tyren Collins are the same age. So are Taylen Collins and Maddie Reeves.
“Whenever we were little, we'd get mad at our parents when they told us we're not real sisters,” Maddie said about her relationship with Taylen.
Now, Tayl en and
Maddie are Muld row teammates. Taylen is a 6- foot -1 star who has signed with OSU. Maddie plans to be a women' s basketball manager f or the Cowgirls next season as well.
“It was just a blessing in disguise that she actually chose to go there, too,” Terry said.
Terry has t he best of both world son game nights.
Texas Tech at OSU
When: Noon Saturday
Where: Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater
TV: CBS (Cox 10/HD 709, Dish 9, DirecTV 9, U-verse 9/HD 1009)
Radio: KXXY-FM 96.1
Three things to know
• OSU is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the 1995 Final Four team with a reunion and special ceremonies before the game and at halftime. The Cowboys will wear commemorative jerseys to honor the team. Also, the first 1,995 fans to enter the arena's East Lobby will receive a free T-shirt. • Cowboys signee Cade Cunningham — the No. 1-ranked 2020 recruit in the country — will be in attendance. Cunningham, the younger brother of OSU assistant coach Cannen Cunningham, has yet to attend a game in person. • Texas Tech has won the past three meetings, including an 85-50 rout on Jan. 4 that was OSU's fourth-largest loss in program history. But the Cowboys have been good in Stillwater against the Red Raiders, going 23-5 with wins in 14 of the past 16 games.
He first gets to watch his daughter play. Then, he coaches his freshman son, Trenden. Bryant sits in the stands watching both.
Basketball remains the bond for two families.
“We look back and see pictures and stuff and we s ee t hem now, me and Taylen are best friends,” Maddie said. “I just think, `This was them.'
“It's been passed on.”