Reid Gettys

A "set up man" in large part, Reid Gettys played a pivotal role in the success of the powerhouse Phi Slama Jama basketball teams at the University of Houston during the early-to-mid 1980s.

Gettys, who ranks as Houston's all-time leader in assists with 740, was responsible for distributing the ball to teammates Akeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Benny Anders, Michael Young, Larry Micheaux and, later, Ricky Winslow. Gettys had a 17-assist game against Rice University in 1985. He also handed out 15 assists in a 1983 game against the University of Kansas.

However, he was also a dead-eye shooter from long distance (although he played prior to the 3-point line) and virtually "automatic" from the free throw line. During the 1982 NCAA Tournament, on March 21, 1982, Gettys sunk 10 consecutive free throws down the stretch to move Houston past Boston College and into the Final Four.

Gettys played his high school ball at Houston's Memorial High School, but chose to stay home to attend college and play for the legendary Guy V. Lewis, rather than following in his father, Marshall's footsteps in attending and playing for Texas Tech University. On a team that was known for its undisciplined style, Gettys was a calming and consistent influence.

The 6-foot-6 Gettys was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the fifth round of the 1985 NBA draft. He was a member of Bill Musselman's 1987-88 Albany Patroons team of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) that posted a remarkable 48-6 record on its way to winning the CBA championship.

Gettys, who has a law degree and has worked as an attorney in Houston, later became an assistant coach at Houston under his former teammate, Drexler, and worked as an ESPN basketball analyst.