Mastery's Reid has hoops, academics in his future

This is one situation where you don't want to make the wrong Reid.

Yes, basketball is very important to Brian Reid and his family members. When they're not living it, they're breathing it, and hoops has long been a centerpiece, even to the extent that family outings revolve around it.

Perhaps you're thinking, "Uh, oh. Not a good sign. Please tell me there's more to these folks than basketball."

Pleased to do so.

Reid, a senior, is a 6-5, 200-pound swingman for Mastery Charter High, a second-year Public League member. He's also a top-notch student (3.9 grade-point average) with a qualifying SAT score and offers of scholarships and grants are coming in fast and furious from assorted Division II and III schools.

Yesterday, in a small, fourth-floor gym in one of Mastery's new buildings (the former Thomas Middle School, in South Philly), Reid totaled 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two steals in a 61-39, Division C win over World Communications Charter.

Among the spectators - spirited ones, at that - were Brian's sisters, Brittany and Brandy, who happen to play for the girls' team. Brittany, a senior, is Brian's twin (and junior by 3 minutes). Brandy is a sophomore. And then there was dad, Jeffrey Reid.

The family was originally based in New York City and Brian said his father was a basketball star in the service. He later suffered severe neck injuries in a car accident and is now on disability.

"School is very important to me because I love playing basketball, and academics are the ticket that's going to allow me to do that in college," Reid said. "With my twin coming out of high school now, too, and my other sister coming out in 2 years, the financial part of college is going to be rough.

"Hopefully, basketball will help me get a nice education, and that will help me better myself as a man."

Reid shows varied skills. In an earlier game this season, he went from schooling defenders on the low block to running the offense in perfect fashion.

He was almost exclusively out front in this one. And lovin' it.

"When I first come out onto the court, opponents think I'm the big man and they put their big man on me," he said. "So, I have the first advantage.

"Then, they see what's happening and they switch things up by putting a smaller guy on me. But it still works out for me because even though I'm tall, I can handle. Coach [Quincy Reed] has confidence putting me out front because not only can I handle, but I also keep good control of the team."

Reid's first high school was Mariana Bracetti, another charter school that remains outside of the PL loop.

He transferred, he said, when a former Bracetti teacher switched to Mastery and spoke of it in glowing terms.

"It's a really good place," he said. "I like it and so do my sisters. And coach Quincy has been good for me. He knows his stuff, and he's made me a much more complete player, especially with college ball in mind."

Said Reed: "Brian's a talent. I don't know for sure at what college level, but the kid can play. If anything, he's too unselfish for us. It's not like this is an all-star team. He doesn't have to defer. I always want him to be aggressive and take the shot if it's there."

Reid finished 9-for-15 and 5-for-7. Arval Knox (10, two treys) also scored in double figures for the Juggernauts/Bulldogs/Somethings-to-be-Determined (there has been disagreement on which should stick) while Jaleel Khabeer, Jerome Anthony and Isaiah Davis tallied seven apiece.

The day's loudest cheers (OK, high-pitched screams) went to Andrew King, a 5-1, 101-pound freshman with Will Smith-style ears. He missed his two shots, but impressed one and all by, immediately upon entering the game, running to the baseline and setting a passionate pick on a much larger Stallion (Maurice Jones, 12 points).

Reid lives in Logan, near 9th and Lindley, and hopes to carve out a career in Web design.

"My school has a special program with Community College," he said. "So, last summer I took this class where the final project was designing a Web site. I had to build it from scratch. Even had to put audio and video on there.

"I chose to make one focusing on me and my friends. I guess I did OK because I got an 'A' for the course."

And the primary subject matter was . . . ?

"Basketball," Brian Reid said, smiling. "We made some funny dunking videos."

And no one had to stand on chairs. *