High Noon Highlights: What happened to Big Country? Marcus Smart talks about the loss of his mother

It’s high noon...

Bleacher Report fills us in on Bryant “Big Country” Reeves:

Gerald Narisco of Bleacher Report wrote a fantastic piece on posters showing up around Vancouver of an NBA player gone-bye with the words “Have you see this man?”. The man on the poster is Big Country.

He played six seasons (1995-2001) in the NBA—all six in Vancouver’s infamous teal-and-maroon uniforms. He was one of those rare players who could be characterized as both a folk hero and a bust.

”I mean, he’s Big Country,” said Hall of Fame center and Georgetown head coach Patrick Ewing with a laugh. “He was soft-spoken, quiet. But he walked tall and carried a big stick.”

Twenty-three years ago, he was one of the most memorable story lines in the 1995 NCAA tournament, breaking backboards while leading Oklahoma State to the Final Four.

Tape Doesn’t Lie podcast:

If you haven’t been listening to Tape Doesn’t Lie, what are you doing with your life? Adam Lunt and Michael Gift are doing a fantastic job. They’re recap of the Texas Tech game is worth an hour of your day.

Marcus Smart opens up about loss of his mother:

Former Cowboy Marcus talked with Jay King of The Athletic about the emotional past week he’s had after losing his mother to cancer. ($$$)

Smart talked about a conversation he had with her in the hospital:

“Do you remember the promise you made me?” Camellia asked Marcus.

He did. He had wanted something from his mother. He can’t remember exactly what anymore, but it was something a child typically yearns for. Camellia couldn’t give it to him. The family just didn’t have the money, but Marcus didn’t complain. He decided that when he grew up, he would make enough money so that his parents would never need to worry about it again. He would make it to the NBA and buy them a house and then they would be able to rest the way they deserved.

Camellia didn’t actually believe her son at first. But in 2014, after the Celtics drafted Marcus with the sixth overall pick, he told his mother he would buy whatever house she wanted.

That’s all for today folks! Have a great afternoon!