Former Houston Cougars Star Reggie Chaney Dies at 23
Former University of Houston men's basketball forward Reggie Chaney has passed away at the age of 23. Chaney's death was reported on Monday night, though the cause has not been made public. He had been set to start his professional career in Greece prior to his untimely passing.
College Career Spanned Multiple Programs
Chaney played college basketball for the University of Arkansas and University of Houston over 5 seasons from 2016 to 2021.
He began his NCAA career with the Arkansas Razorbacks. As a freshman and sophomore, Chaney played limited minutes off the bench for Arkansas teams that made the NCAA Tournament.
After two seasons with the Razorbacks, Chaney opted to transfer to Houston. Sitting out the 2019-2020 season due to NCAA transfer rules, he became eligible to play for the Cougars starting in 2020-2021.
Key Role Player on Houston's Tournament Teams
Over 3 seasons at Houston, Chaney emerged as a dependable frontcourt presence off the bench. Though he started just 3 games as a Cougar, Chaney averaged 15.5 minutes per game at Houston. He provided rebounding, defense, and efficient scoring in a backup role.
Chaney was a key role player on two NCAA Tournament teams with the Cougars. In 2021, he helped Houston reach the Final Four for the first time since 1984.
This past season, Chaney won American Athletic Conference Sixth Man of the Year while averaging 6.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. The veteran big man shot a sterling 66.7% from the field.
Remembered as a Consistent, Dependable Teammate
News of Chaney's shocking death led to an outpouring of grief and memories from teammates and coaches. They remembered Chaney as a model teammate who brought energy and effort consistently despite injuries and fluctuating minutes.
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson called Chaney his "security blanket", always reliable no matter the situation. Former teammate Justin Gorham praised his work ethic and impact, stating "without Reg we don't accomplish half the things we did."
Though Chaney's college career ended months ago, his teammates made clear the significant role he played in the Cougars' recent success. His consistency and positivity left a clear mark on the Houston program.
Playing Career Was Set to Go International
After exhausting his college eligibility in 2021-2022, Chaney was preparing to take his talents abroad. According to reports, he was set to join AE Psychiko, a professional team in Greece.
The opportunity in Greece would have been Chaney's first as a professional basketball player. He was looking to prove himself and extend his career after being an unsung hero in college.
Unfortunately, Chaney's promising pro career ended before it could get started. His sudden passing leaves questions of what heights he could have reached internationally.
Conclusion
The college basketball world lost a beloved player and person far too soon with Reggie Chaney's tragic death. Though his role often lacked fanfare, Chaney made his mark through consistent effort and filling whatever his teams needed from him. He played a significant part in some of Houston's greatest recent seasons.
While his untimely passing cuts short a promising playing career, Chaney's impact on his teammates and coaches remains clear. They remember him as an ideal teammate, bringing energy and positivity even when not in the spotlight. Chaney embodied the team-first mentality coaches hope for, making him incredibly valued by those who knew him best.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7p7%2FKoaybZpOkunC6xLCqZpuRqsCmec6fZJ2dkam1cL7EoJ6inV2YtaK6xLJkoaelqMGwuoRseGaqlZy0qrGMnJ%2BappWueqWxwK2fZqGemLm2sMinnmaqlZy0qrGMnJ%2BappWueqSt1KycZqeWYrGmrdOh