In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Houston basketball community is mourning the loss of Reggie Chaney, a promising player who was on the cusp of embarking on an overseas professional basketball career. Kelvin Sampson, the head basketball coach at Houston, shared a touching tribute to Chaney, revealing that the young athlete had recently signed a contract to play professional basketball abroad.
Chaney, who was the first in his family to graduate from college, had achieved his dream of securing a professional basketball contract. As the Houston Cougars' head coach, Sampson shared on X, "He was leaving Monday, Aug 28th for Greece." It's a bittersweet reminder of the aspirations Chaney was on the verge of fulfilling.
Former Houston basketball player Reggie Chaney, known for his contributions to the team's Final Four journey in 2021, has died at the age of 23. The young forward was discovered unresponsive in an apartment in Arlington, Texas. Preliminary investigations have ruled out foul play, though the exact cause of his death remains undisclosed.
Cougars' coach, Kelvin Sampson, paid tribute to Chaney in a heartfelt statement, describing him as "the ultimate teammate, the identity of our Cougar basketball culture, and a winner." Sampson expressed his gratitude for having Chaney as part of the team and emphasized that his legacy will be remembered and cherished.
Before joining the Houston Cougars for the 2020-21 season, Chaney spent two years at Arkansas. During his time with Houston, he played a vital role in the team's remarkable journey to the Final Four – a significant achievement for the university. Over his three-season tenure with the Cougars, Chaney appeared in 104 games, averaging 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds.
Chaney's impact on the Houston basketball program and the wider basketball community is evident through the outpouring of love and respect following his passing. While his physical presence may be gone, his legacy and the memories he created will undoubtedly continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him.
