Chaney still close to Cougars’ hearts
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Every time he puts on his University of Houston basketball jersey, Jamal Shead taps the No. 32 patch on his right shoulder, the one that pays tribute to former teammate Reggie Chaney.
Need to show how something is done on defense? There's almost certainly a video clip of Chaney.
Rarely does a press conference go by that coach Kelvin Sampson does not mention Chaney.
“We're doing this for Reggie,” redshirt sophomore guard Emanuel Sharp said. “We're dedicating this whole season to Reggie. He's always with us.”
It's been seven months since Chaney — who played three seasons for the Cougars and was a starter on the 2021 Final Four team — died from a fentanyl overdose, just days before he was set to depart to begin his professional career overseas.
Players come and go, many returning during the season, but Chaney's absence has left the grief-stricken Cougars with an irreplaceable void while serving as inspiration as UH won the Big 12 regular-season title and is a national title contender.
“We miss him,” fifth-year senior forward J'wan Roberts said. “I wish he was here.”
As he stood on the Fertitta Center court, holding the Big 12 trophy during a postgame celebration March 9, Shead became emotional.
“That 32 patch on our jersey,” Shead said after a long pause. “I miss Reggie Chaney. This is for him. I miss my brother.”
At the invitation of the UH basketball program, Chaney's mother Chandra and 6-year-old sister Damia attended the final home game of the season. Damia wore a T-shirt that had a photo of Chaney celebrating a conference championship a year earlier.
“It was emotional,” Chandra Chaney said after the Cougars beat Kansas 76-46 and clinched
the outright Big 12 regular-season title. “This was my first home game (back). I wasn't ready. But I knew Reggie would want me to be here for his brothers.”
Chandra Chaney, who lives in Tulsa, Okla., also attended lateseason road games against Baylor and Oklahoma.
Shead, the Big 12 player of the year and consensus All-american this season, said Damia “almost brought a tear to my eye” after the OU game.
“She came down and gave me a really big hug and was wearing his jersey,” Shead said. “I said, ‘That's a really nice jersey.' ”
Damia responded: “Thanks, it was your friend's.”
“That hit home,” Shead added. “During that game, down the stretch, you look around, tied game, she's standing up on her mom's shoulders with Reggie's
jersey on. When you see that you know you're going to win.”
Whether in practice or showing a video clip, Sampson mentions Chaney every chance. How he was a leader. How there was nobody tougher. How ready would have done it this way. It's a teaching moment for younger big men on the team like Jojo Tugler, Cedric Lath and Jacob Mcfarland.
When the Cougars had to defend Kansas differently in the second meeting this season, Sampson pulled out a clip of Chaney “because he did it perfectly.”
“When those guys see Reggie, those returning guys, you can tell they get emotional,” Sampson added. “Those wounds are still raw. This time last year Reggie was still with us.”
Ryan Elvin, a senior guard, said Chandra texts him at least
once a week “just to check in.”
“I can call Reggie my brother always,” Elvin said. “Just to see her here and supportive, she knows how much everyone here loves Reggie.”
Shead said Chaney left the type of mark that will continue within the basketball program.
“The way he played basketball is Cougar culture,” Shead said. “It's what every big that comes through should strive to play like.”
As the Cougars open the NCAA Tournament Friday, the No. 1 seed in the South Region against 16-seed Longwood, Chaney will be on their minds.
The jersey patch will serve as a reminder.
Gone, but not forgotten. “We go out every game with him in our hearts and our minds,” Sharp said.
“I miss him,” Shead said.