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YouTube Gold: Bryant “Big Country” Reeves

One of the more fun players to come along even if he couldn’t play for long

By JD King
Vancouver Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Clippers
 Bryant Reeves #50, Center for the Vancouver Grizzlies attempts to shoot a free throw during the NBA Pacific Division basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers on 16th February 1999 at the Arrowhead Pond arena in Anaheim, California, United States. The Vancouver Grizzlies won the game 93 - 89.
Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

Bryant “Big Country” Reeves was a pretty entertaining player for a few years.

He came to Oklahoma State out of Gans, Oklahoma, population 316, and had never been near an airplane. His first trip blew him away and a teammate gave him his nickname.

He first drew national attention with this play and his rural nature and flattop haircut made him a celebrity.

When he was drafted by Vancouver, he became a solid NBA center and was able to go up against guys like Shaquille O’ Neal on a pretty even basis.

As you’ll see in this clip, Reeves was big enough to bang inside against O’ Neal and also smart enough to exploit O’ Neal’s inability to defend away from the basket, something Christian Laettner had used to beat O’ Neal’s LSU Tigers twice in college.

Reeves retired prematurely with serious back issues and has moved back to Oklahoma, where he quietly ranches.

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