Panthers Guard Leads NCAA Division II In Steals
By Florida Tech // December 18, 2012
Four-Year Starter For Florida Tech
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech senior guard Julius Reid is the NCAA Division II leader in steals per game at an average of 4.57.
He moved up in the weekly rankings after occupying the runner-up spot one week ago at 4.80 steals per game.
Through the team’s first seven games, Reid has swiped 32 steals. The next closest player to him is Drury’s Brandon Lockhart at 4.29. Last week, Lockhart held the top spot at 4.83 steals per game.
“We know he’s a great defensive player, he always has been,” head coach Billy Mims said. “His high school coach James Rowe at Cocoa [High School], who I think is one of the finest high school coaches in Brevard County, instilled a defensive mentality in him. He’s only gotten better and better every year. People see Julius do so many things on the floor, but one thing people can miss is how crafty he is on defensive end of the floor. He’s always thinking about how he can come up with a steal. He’s probably one of the craftiest defensive players I’ve ever coached.”
Reid, a four-year starter for Mims, is averaging 15.7 points per game with 5.4 rebounds. He has just as many assists as he does steals, 32, and one block.
In the Sunshine State Conference, he ranks sixth in scoring, third in assists, first in steals and first in minutes played per game at 36.1.
“He’s a great kid,” Mims said. “He’s a kid that I’ve really, really enjoyed coaching the past three and a half years. Every year, it’s sad to see seniors on your team because you know you’re going to lose them soon. With Julius, there are some mixed emotions. It’s great to have his senior leadership, you know he’s a great player and you know you have him night in and night out. The other side is you know you have him for only a couple more months and then you’re going to have to say bye to him. The thing about him is he is such a committed professional. He works so hard on his game and in the classroom. Everything he does, he puts his best effort into it.”
Reid and the Panthers will conclude the 2012 portion of their schedule on Wednesday when they take on Iowa Wesleyan at 7 p.m. at the Clemente Center.
The game will be broadcast live on 1300 AM WMEL and 1300WMEL.com.
