Anthony Reed '24 Recruiting Profile

Growing up I always told myself I would attend college, and play basketball. I want to be successful in everything I do. Basketball and music are my passion. I desire to share my gifts and talents with the world. I dedicated and committed to my passion of basketball and music. I believe giving back to the community is the best way to share and inspire people that their dreams are also achievable through discipline, committed, and passion.

It all started in 2005 where my mother was the lead musician for St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Boynton Beach, Florida. My mother played the organ while carrying me for eight months. When I was born my parents prayed over me and called me “God’s Instrument.” Music has always had special meaning to me. Music completes me. My dad introduced me to playing the drums. The drums are the heartbeat of the band. When I was younger, I played the drums for worship services and community events. I soon realized that playing the drums was spiritual. I created a connection with the drums. At the age of nine, my church needed a bass player.  My dad bought me a bass guitar. My father taught me the basics and I taught myself the rest. While playing the bass guitar, I realized that I developed a strong ear for other sounds and notes. The bass guitar is a unique instrument. It creates a full sound that leaves no empty space. When I was younger, I never thought I would ever touch another instrument, but as I developed it music became more passionate and serious. Not only did I create a stronger connection with music, but it helped me find my connection with God.

Growing up I always loved hip hop music. When a hip-hop song played in the atmosphere, I would break dance. Dance was another side of me that I would always keep hidden. My body always connects with the sounds and rhythm of music. At the age of twelve my parents sent me to Second Baptist summer camp. Every year the summer camp holds a production. The show was the Wizard of OZ. I auditioned and received the role as the Tin man. It was because of the dance moves that made the role come alive. The second year the production theme was the Sounds of Motown, where I played the role as Michael Jackson because I could moon walk. At the summer camps, a DJ and a music artist named TP Miller gave classes on music production and digital technology through the software GarageBand. Being in that class showed me another way I can use instruments to my advantage. As I continued with digital music, I began to develop a love for piano. The piano is genuinely a nice instrument, it brings an extraordinarily rich sound that connects on a prominent level of music. Although I am still learning the piano, what I like about this instrument is that it challenges another part of your brain. I use the example of the piano in my life as a reminder that to be the best you must challenge yourself.

As I entered high school, I continued playing bass for my church. Church is a get away from the outside world for me. The sound of Black Church music gives a strong sound of soul. The sound of church music ministers to me. It was my sophomore year that I realized I wanted to further my life with music. My twelfth-grade year my father preached a sermon stating, “the gift God gives you are in your hands.” It took me a while to understand what my father meant, but I then realized that being a musician was a gift given from God. I use my hands to hold the sticks and hit the drum, I use my hands to play the bass guitar, and I use my hands to play the piano. Music is a part of my lineage. My father is a guitarist. My father has a specific guitar that I have always found fascinating, the steel guitar. The steel guitar has a unique, and soulful cry. Instruments have their own unique ways of making sounds just like humans, we all have a unique way of doing things.

In basketball, I am able to dance and create my own rhythm and style on the court. I have been playing basketball from the age of 8 years old. My dad was my first coach. He helped me to become the player I am today. He saw my potential, and helped me to see it too. Creating ways and spaces to get through and make the ball a piece of art is enlightening for me. I enjoy a great challenge because it opens me to becoming creative. I have grown so much within basketball. I never imagined becoming a team captain. I was able to lead my team in a season that the school had never experienced. Although we did not win districts, just leading the school team in a place that they lost hope in was a major victory. Paving the way and setting the standard is what I do. 

Music and basketball inspires me and is an enrichment to my life. I hope through this essay there is a clear understanding of my love for music and basketball. I desire to make my family and my village proud.