Reggie Todd Commits to The Aggies
Reginald "Reggie" Todd started his senior season off going in a good direction. Alongside Alabama women's basketball commit and fellow classmate Cierra Johnson, Todd decided to end his recruitment on the first day of school by verbally committing to New Mexico State. It may seem like a long way from home but for Todd, being away for a while was the best decision for him. He will join the Aggies next season and hopes to continue their five year streak of winning the WAC conference and NCAA tourney berths.
Reggie Todd attending On The Radar Hoops Fall Showcase Photo Cred/Ty Freeman
It has been a long for Reggie Todd as he has battled with becoming a product of his environment and the classroom. Growing up in Roger Williams Projects in Mobile, Alabama, Todd faced many obstacles of avoiding a life of crime and death. He has watched some of his best friends and peers lose their lives to gun fire and some of them to the jail time. He comes from a family of five with three brothers and one sister so family is everything.
With several positive influences in his life, especially his mother who was so tough on him at times he didn't realize it was tough love, Todd almost had no choice but to learn to overcome everything his environment and the naysayers through at him. At one point it looked like he wouldn't qualify to compete on the division-1 level but after transferring from Leflore to Blount, he had to sit his junior season and learn to be more of a student and not just an athlete. He was so used to everything being given to him where he lost sight of how to get things on his own.
Sitting his junior season seemed to be the push he needed to help get his life back on track. While focusing mainly on his academics, Todd still wasn't putting the two together, student-athlete. He was keying in on becoming a qualifier but didn't spend much time in the gym so once travel season came around, the cob webs were heavy. After having such a bad showing during the spring live period, his mentor, Kirven "Coach K" Lang (me), decided to sit him the rest of the entire spring until he learned to become a student-athlete.
Once school came to and end he was able to travel again and had a really good showing at the SE Elite Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama. July soon rolled around and Todd had a pretty good showing at On The Radar Hoops Elite 32. The next weekend New Mexico St head coach Marvin Menzies was front and center to watch Todd and he put on a show. While picking up heavy interest and offers from several schools after July, Todd had already made his decision in his mind where he wanted to attend school in 2016.
With several positive influences in his life, especially his mother who was so tough on him at times he didn't realize it was tough love, Todd almost had no choice but to learn to overcome everything his environment and the naysayers through at him. At one point it looked like he wouldn't qualify to compete on the division-1 level but after transferring from Leflore to Blount, he had to sit his junior season and learn to be more of a student and not just an athlete. He was so used to everything being given to him where he lost sight of how to get things on his own.
Sitting his junior season seemed to be the push he needed to help get his life back on track. While focusing mainly on his academics, Todd still wasn't putting the two together, student-athlete. He was keying in on becoming a qualifier but didn't spend much time in the gym so once travel season came around, the cob webs were heavy. After having such a bad showing during the spring live period, his mentor, Kirven "Coach K" Lang (me), decided to sit him the rest of the entire spring until he learned to become a student-athlete.
Once school came to and end he was able to travel again and had a really good showing at the SE Elite Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama. July soon rolled around and Todd had a pretty good showing at On The Radar Hoops Elite 32. The next weekend New Mexico St head coach Marvin Menzies was front and center to watch Todd and he put on a show. While picking up heavy interest and offers from several schools after July, Todd had already made his decision in his mind where he wanted to attend school in 2016.
Reggie Todd At On The Radar Hoops Fall Showcase 2014 Photo Cred/Ty Freeman.
"I decided to commit to New Mexico St because of my relationship with coach Aerick Sanders and the type of program coach Marvin Menzies has been running for a while now. All of their players who they graduate either play professionally or he helps them get into coaching. If I don't make it pro then I want to be a coach." Todd said.
Todd will more than likely redshirt his freshman year to continue working on himself academically and skill wise. A redshirt year could really help him become a complete player and be a problem for opposing teams. With much talk of New Mexico St joining the Sun Belt, he could play in front of family and friends when the Aggies travel to play possible in state foes South Alabama and Troy.
"When it seemed like I had no chance of making it academically almost everybody slowed down or stopped recruiting me. It was frustrating but New Mexico St has been there since the first day they were allowed to text me last June when I was at Nike Elite 100 Camp in St. Louis." he said.
Oregon St had started to turn the heat up after watching Todd in July and South Alabama was really in there heavy also for the backyard product. Illinois St and Middle Tennessee St were his first offers and schools like Arkansas, La Tech, Troy and Tulane (offer) all recruited him.
Writers note: This was a joy to me as I took Reggie under my wing as an eighth grader after his uncle asked me to take care of him. We have had rough times together but as family you have to understand the bond and tribulations we went through. Love him like a son and overly joyful that this young man has a chance to continue his education and grow from a boy to a man!
Todd will more than likely redshirt his freshman year to continue working on himself academically and skill wise. A redshirt year could really help him become a complete player and be a problem for opposing teams. With much talk of New Mexico St joining the Sun Belt, he could play in front of family and friends when the Aggies travel to play possible in state foes South Alabama and Troy.
"When it seemed like I had no chance of making it academically almost everybody slowed down or stopped recruiting me. It was frustrating but New Mexico St has been there since the first day they were allowed to text me last June when I was at Nike Elite 100 Camp in St. Louis." he said.
Oregon St had started to turn the heat up after watching Todd in July and South Alabama was really in there heavy also for the backyard product. Illinois St and Middle Tennessee St were his first offers and schools like Arkansas, La Tech, Troy and Tulane (offer) all recruited him.
Writers note: This was a joy to me as I took Reggie under my wing as an eighth grader after his uncle asked me to take care of him. We have had rough times together but as family you have to understand the bond and tribulations we went through. Love him like a son and overly joyful that this young man has a chance to continue his education and grow from a boy to a man!
