Brittney Reese: from dunking to jumping
Former basketball player Brittney Reese has leapt to the top of the world list for the women’s long jump with a stunning 7.06m. Ahead of the World Championships in Berlin, spikesmag.com caught up with the US champion to hear her story…
How did you get involved in athletics?
BR: I’ve been running since I was in the seventh grade but I started doing the long jump in 11th grade. I was doing the high jump and the 400m and I wanted to do another event.
When did you first discover you were fast?
BR: About ninth grade. We used to race a lot back in the neighbourhood in Mississippi. We moved down from California for a better environment for me and my mum. We were staying in a rough neighbourhood in LA (Inglewood) and our mum wanted us to have a better life. She moved to Mississippi with her grandma (my great-grandma) when I was two. That’s how it worked out.
Where do you get your talent?
BR: My talent is from my uncles who were big basketball players at college.
You were a talented triple jumper and high jumper, do you have any desire to go back to these events?
BR: No. I just did them to help my team-mates out. The triple jump takes a lot out of you that’s why I’d rather jump one time rather than three. And as for the high jump, I don’t even have a real technique!
You quit athletics for two years in 2005/6 to concentrate on basketball. Why?
BR: I always liked basketball. My friends were doing it and I decided to go for it. I played for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. In my second year I made the All Star Team and I was leading the team on points and rebounds. But I wasn’t getting to big name schools for scholarships in basketball, and that’s why I went back to track.
Was it a tough decision to turn your back on basketball?
BR: Yes, it was tough but you got to do what you got to do. I was still jumping and that’s what they recruited me for – jumping around on the court and not jumping in sand.
How did playing basketball help your athletics?
BR: By doing a lot of jumping lay-ups. That kept me in good jumping form for the long jump. I don’t touch a basketball now. I miss it a lot.
You are top of the world lists this year, can you believe how far you’ve come?
BR: I’m surprised by how far I’ve come. I didn’t think I’d be jumping 23ft in only my second year of being professional. Hopefully I’ll keep getting better each year – I hope 24ft will be right around the corner.
You finished eighth in the 2007 World Championships and fifth at the last Olympics were you satisfied with how you performed?
BR: When I was eighth at the Worlds I was just glad to be there – it was first time overseas. At the Olympics I could have done a lot better and I was a little disappointed at first. But then I thought about how I’d done better than at the Worlds, so I didn’t complain about it.
What have you learned from that experience?
BR: I learned that you have to compete hard because you never know what can happen. For example, Naide Gomes (the world No.1 last year from Portugal) scratched on her three jumps in qualification and didn’t make the final. You never know what is going to happen. You just got to go with it.
What was the feeling like to jump seven metres for the first time?
BR: It’s been a goal of mine for a while and when I first jumped it I couldn’t believe it. Then the second time I jumped it was like, “I’m on a roll”.
What are your expectations for Berlin?
BR: We’ve reached this point so I would like to go over seven metres and win a medal.
You are coached by Joe Walker – what are his strengths?
BR: I’ve been with him for four years now. He’s a great man, he understands me and knows what I’m lacking and what I need to work on. He’s more of father figure to me than a coach. He knows what it takes and is a good visual person. He used to coach Savante Stringfellow (the 2001 World Championship long jump silver medallist) and is also current coach to Antwon Hicks (13.09 110m hurdler).
Where have you made the improvements this year?
BR: I’ve lifted more weights. I’ve always been lifting but now I have a new weight coach with a new schedule.
What do you like to do away from the track?
BR: Ever since I was a little I’ve been into shoes. When I see a pair of shoes I can tell who makes them. I have over 30 pairs. I wear either Nike Air Force Ones or Jordans. My favourite colours are blue and grey and my favourite pair of shoes are my blue and grey pair of Air Force Ones.
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