If you have gone to a Binghamton University men’s basketball game, and judging by the attendance figures, many of you have, you can’t help but wonder about the man who is involved in almost every play. The man, who despite his team being down a few points, and in some cases more than a few, can be seen with a smile on his face. And the man, with the number 25 emblazoned on his back, who is normally the catalyst for willing his team to win.
Described by Binghamton head coach Kevin Broadus as a “quiet leader,” Reggie Fuller is likable upon first encountering him. He speaks with a laid-back demeanor, in a muted Southern drawl. He is loose and personable, which makes him easily approachable. His smile is infectious, and when placed in a tight game setting, many opponents must wonder to themselves, “What is this guy thinking?”
So what’s with the smile?
“I can’t help it,” says Fuller. “I love this game and I love being here in Binghamton.”
But what led the man, pure Texas, born and bred, to leave his warm homeland and venture to the Northeast to continue his basketball dreams?
“Actually, I had never been on the east coast before, and then I was recruited by Coach Broadus,” Fuller said with a smile. “Then I came here, and saw the team and the school, and I was like, “Oh yeah, I’m coming here!”
And the energy in the Events Center this season has been something that Fuller and his teammates continually feed off.
“I had never seen this place sold out before, and it feels wonderful to be able to place in front of all of these people, in front of ‘the Zoo,’” he said.
While a person could not exactly call Fuller a psychic, his thoughts about where the direction of this season would go was fairly prophetic. All the way back in October, Fuller made the following comment:
“I’m feeling really good about the team, because I know we are a whole lot better than we were last year.”
That statement has proved to be extremely accurate for the Bearcats this year, due in large part to the great play of Fuller, a senior forward, who oftentimes pulls double duty as a center. Fuller also expressed the need for him to become more of a scorer this season than he had been in the past.
“Oh yeah, I’m about to score the ball this year,” Fuller said back in October. “I’ve got to be more offensive minded this year.”
Fuller has done just that, improving in almost every offensive category, while not letting his defense suffer in the process. Fuller has seen his points per game average jump from 6.6 points last season to 10.0 this season, and his rebounds go from 5.7 to 6.9. He shot an extremely respectable .556 from the field this season, placing him third in the conference.
“I just have tried to improve as the season goes on,” Fuller said. “That’s all I’ve ever tried to do.”
Given all that, what has been the biggest challenge for the 6-foot-6-inch forward this season?
According to Fuller, it has been playing center against some of the bigger players in the conference, most of whom are vastly larger than him. However, never one to sit idly by and be taken advantage of, Fuller uses skills other than size to outmatch his opponents.
“I’ve got the speed, but I just don’t have the weight,” he said. “Everyone outweighs me by 75, 80 pounds, but with my speed, I feel that gives me a big advantage. I mean, am I really a “big man?”
This is a new experience for Fuller, who had no experience playing in that position prior to this season.
“I was never a post player, never in junior college, never in high school,” he said. “But I feel like to be a complete basketball player, I have to be able to play every position. And that’s what I always try to do.”
So after two years at the school, what has been the highlight of Fuller’s career? He’s not prepared to answer that question just yet.
“Well, the season’s not over yet, depending on how the end of the season goes, I can then decide what my highlight here has been.”
Fuller also expressed his dream to play one-on-one with an NBA legend.
“If I could play anyone one-on-one, I’d have to say it would be Magic Johnson,” Fuller said.
When it was pointed out that Johnson had not played in the NBA since 1996, and had more than likely lost a step or two, Fuller grinned and exclaimed, “Exactly, that’s why I want to play him!”
So the question that makes sense at this point seems, who will fill the hole left by Fuller in that “big man” role next season? Fuller’s hope was that freshman Kyrie Sutton would be great in that role.
“With a little bit more experience, you’re all going to be talking about that man soon,” Fuller said. “You’re going to be running up to him soon, saying, ‘Kyrie! Interview?’”
And he may just be on to something. Sutton, a 6-foot-9-inch center, is ranked fourth in the conference in blocked shots with 1.3 per game, narrowly trailing Fuller, who ranks second with 1.6 per game.
But what does the future hold for Reggie Fuller?
“First is the America East tournament, then the America East championship game,” said Fuller. “The NCAA tournament is next, and then graduation.”
Asked about long term goals, Fuller shrugged and then flashed that ever present smile.
“I probably should get a job, right?” said Fuller. “And hopefully it will be in basketball. I’m gonna take basketball as far as I can possibly take it. I might even go to Europe, there’s a strong possibility, because I’ve always wanted to go overseas.”
And what if that doesn’t work out for Fuller?
“I’m gonna be a math teacher, I love numbers,” he said.
And with that, Fuller turned and fired a shot from roughly 30 feet away, which swished right through the net.
Watch out, Europe, here comes Reggie. Or to the prospective student, here comes Mr. Fuller.