photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyrel Reed blows a bubble and stretches before tipoff against Baylor Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 at the Ferrell Center in Waco.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyrel Reed blows a bubble and stretches before tipoff against Baylor Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 at the Ferrell Center in Waco.

Jesse Newell: Do you still talk to Cole?

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas University freshmen Tyrel Reed, left, and Cole Aldrich pose inside Allen Fieldhouse for this 2007 photo.

Tyrel Reed: I talk to Cole pretty much every day, or every other day at least. I’ve got a MacBook, and we’ve both got Skype now, so we kind of video chat. He shows me his house, and we kind of hang out that way.
JN: What’s the funniest thing he’s said to you since he’s been gone?

TR: I don’t know if it’s funny, but he just loves that I had to do Boot Camp and he didn’t, because he knows how bad it is.

photo by: Thad Allender

The Kansas University men's basketball team spreads out across the Allen Fieldhouse floor as coach Bill Self directs a drill during a Boot Camp workout in this 2006 file photo.

JN: What was he saying to you during that week?

TR: He’d text me late the night before and say, ‘Have fun at 5:30 tomorrow morning while I’m still in bed.’

JN: How late did he text you? Did it wake you up?

TR: No, I’m kind of a night owl, so it was probably like 12:30 or 1.

JN: What is the biggest difference between living with Cole and living without Cole? When do you notice he’s not there?

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas center Cole Aldrich puts his arm around teammate Tyrel Reed as the seconds waste away in regulation Sunday March 22, 2009 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. At left is forward Mario Little.

TR: Probably at night time when I’m going to bed, because I felt like over the years when we were roommates, right before we’d go to bed, we’d always walk into each other’s room and talk, say, ‘What’s up?’ or say whatever, and we’d end up talking for 30 minutes or an hour just making jokes and having fun.

JN: So it’s not the same without him there?

TR: It’s definitely not the same. I do like where I’m at now and I love my roommates now, but Cole was just a different being.

JN: Has he shown you any bling that he’s bought?

TR: I think he got a car from a dealership, and then he bought a Denali that looks really nice. Definitely there’s some perks to being in the NBA.

JN: I’m going to read this to you. I took this from a Rivals.com story from four years ago: ‘Tyrel Reed isn’t a guy that’s going to blow your socks off with blazing speed or jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism.’ What do you think about that?

TR: I hope that that’s inaccurate. I hope that definitely I’ve gotten a lot faster, and I feel like I can jump with about anyone. I just need to showcase that and show people that I can.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyrel Reed flies in for a dunk Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

JN: You have the highest vertical on the team now, and from Boot Camp, you’re the fastest on the team now. And that’s a pretty good team that you’re the highest jumper and the fastest on, right?

TR: Yeah, I think we’ve really got some athletic guys. And I think definitely also athleticism is different when you’re out there playing as opposed to just running and jumping and trying to touch as high as you can. But I think that I can transfer that over and hopefully show some people.

JN: Do you think you’re more of a self-made basketball player than a lot of other guys?

photo by: John Henry

Kansas' Tyrel Reed shown as a sophomore in this 2008 photo.

TR: I think some people could say that. I don’t have the best body, I’m not as gifted athletically or maybe as talented, but I just try to strive to work harder than the next.

JN: Last time you got nervous before a basketball game?

TR: I’m always a little nervous before every game, a little anxious, have those butterflies. But I can’t remember a particular game where I was more nervous than the next.

JN: Best thing about Burlington, Kansas?

Tyrel Reed, a 6-foot-3 guard from Burlington High, signs his national letter of intent with Kansas University. Reed officially joined the Jayhawks at a signing ceremony on Nov. 15, 2006, at his high school.

TR: Best thing about Burlington, Kansas (laughs). Everybody waves at you. I’ve noticed here in Lawrence … I still am from a small town, so I’ll wave at everyone when they drive by. I hardly ever get a wave, but anytime I drive in Burlington, everyone waves. I like that.

JN: Those people think you’re crazy here, right?

TR: They do. They turn around like, ‘Who was that?’ or ‘Why did he wave?’ I think they take it like I’m being mean or something. I don’t know.

JN: What’s the first memory you have of KU?

TR: I remember coming here when I was in — I can’t remember what grade I was — but I watched Paul Pierce play. I sat way up in section 22 and just loved it. From then on, I loved KU. I loved the atmosphere here and always wanted to be a part of it.

JN: Last time coach Self made you laugh?

photo by: Kevin Anderson

Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self sports the disco look in meeting with the media on June 11, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo., as part of the coach’s Basketball Boogie event.

TR: Probably while we were taking a picture (at media days). Coach Self always has some jokes. He knows how to be serious, but he can also make things fun. I think that’s what makes him attractive to people.

JN: What did he say to you there?

TR: What were we talking about? Oh, he was talking about Coach T (Townsend) looking like a mafia member with his garb that he was wearing, with his suit.

photo by: Nick Krug

Director of basketball operations, Betty White, played by Barry Hinson, and assistant coach Lil Jon, Kurtis Townsend introduce the skits during Late Night in the Phog, Friday, Oct. 15, 2010.

JN: Ever prank-called a teammate?

TR: Can’t say that I’ve prank-called anyone. It’d be tough to because everybody has caller ID now.

JN: If the only Presidential candidates were Markieff Morris, Marcus Morris and Tyshawn Taylor, who gets your vote?

TR: I’m going with Markieff, just because I like the silent leadership that he has. He’s really quiet, and I think that can be a good trait.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Markieff Morris.

JN: Favorite fight song on an opposing team?

TR: Favorite fight song? Probably Boomer Sooner, I guess. I don’t know. That’s the only one that sticks out in my mind.

JN: Do you sing during the National Anthem?

TR: In my head. During the National Anthem, I always kind of say a prayer to myself as well. As soon as I say my prayer, looking up at the flag and seeing all these people, it just makes me realize how lucky I really am.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tyrel Reed releases a three-pointer over Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen during the second half, Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse.