Hearn endures meandering journey to fulfill NBA dream

An inspiring tale of faith in oneself

CEBU, Philippines — His was an inspiring story of faith and fortitude that is worthy of emulation.

He was just an undersized post player while at R. Nelson Snider High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but he already showed flashes of hardcourt brilliance during his nascent years as a basketball player.

He spotlighted his athletic gift in four seasons with the Northwestern University Wildcats (2009-10 and 2012-13) where he piled up 671 points, 266 rebounds and 95 assists in 90 games.

The summit of his college career was during his senior year where he averaged 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 30 games.

With his excellent background, it seems that he is ready for the bigger stage.

But it’s not the way the wind is blowing for him at first.

Reggie Christian Hearn went through a long and meandering journey before reaching his ultimate destination - the National Basketball Association.

In 2013, the Northwestern standout entered the NBA Draft. Unfortunately, he was undrafted. No NBA team dared to pick him in the lottery that was replete with talents.

But it did not dampen his spirits. Instead, it  strengthened his resolve to work even harder and keep on believing in himself.

True enough, Hearn eventually joined the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League (now the NBA G League).

He was then traded to the Westchester Knicks, before ultimately landing with the Reno Bighorns where he made his mark as arguably the best perimeter shooter in the G League.

With the Bighorns, he normed 12.5 points per game on a 45 percent clip from the field and 44 percent from the 3-point land.

Owing to his glittering track record in the G-League, Hearn was selected to the US national team in the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup in Argentina where they won gold medal with a perfect 5-0 record. He averaged 10.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, while hitting 47.1 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from 3-point territory on a 10-of-21 sniping.

The best is yet to come for the 27-year-old Hearn.

After enduring all the slings and arrows that smacked his way, fairytale came true for the prolific 6-foot-5 sniper.

Last January 15, the stars have aligned to fulfill Hearn’s NBA dreams after the Detroit Pistons signed him to a two-way contract.

As a two-way player, Hearn will provide services primarily for the Grand Rapids Drive, the team's G League affiliate, but can spend up to 45 days with the Pistons.

Still, it’s a great achievement for a player who has been grinding over the past few years.

“It is amazing to have finally reached the NBA, and a credit to what God can do by His amazing power!” said Hearn in an exclusive interview with The Freeman through Facebook.

“The key elements that helped me make it (to the NBA) was the strength and vision Jesus gave me, combined with the people He surrounded me with to encourage me, pray for me, teach me, and train me in how to go about making the dream happen.”

It was only last February 6 when Hearn finally made his long-awaited NBA debut at the final 2:33 mark of the Pistons’ 111-91 blowout of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Hearn swiftly showed his incredible perimeter efficiency by flicking a 3-pointer from the right corner, in front of the Pistons’ bench, that hit nothing but net with 2:10 left in the game.

And no less than their All-Star forward Blake Griffin, whom the Pistons acquired in a trade with the LA Clippers, made Hearn’s first NBA appearance more memorable by presenting him with the game ball.

“That was an awesome gesture. The thing I really appreciated was how genuine he was about it,” Hearn told detroitnews.com. “I wasn’t even thinking about the fact that it was my first shot and I could even get the ball. I’m from the G-League where you don’t get to take balls home.

“The fact that he came up and asked me if that was my first shot (was memorable).”

Hearn looks back at his NBA journey with a grateful heart, thanking all those people who, in one way or another, made a difference in his life and helped made him what he is now today.

Foremost among them is the US-based Cebuano skills trainer and coach Jeff Codera. Hearn could never forget Codera for lifting him up during those times he felt he was down and low.

At one point, they trained together in a makeshift facility at Codera’s home in California. But more than helping recalibrate his skills, Hearn said Codera was a great motivator who helped boost his confidence and restore his faith in himself.

“To Jeff, a big thank you for helping me to believe in the dream again at a time when I was giving up hope,” said Hearn.

“Thank you to all who contributed to my journey — whether by training me, encouraging me, praying for me, etc. This accomplishment is not just mine, but a shared accomplishment amongst all those who contributed!”

Like many other stories, Hearn had a many failures before attaining great success. He has gone a really long way and has finally found his place in the sun.

And Hearn has sage advice to all those who are longing to reach for their stars someday, to never give up and seek for God’s guidance in pursuit of their dreams.

“To all the young ballers out there, seek God’s plan for you! If you are passionate about basketball, pursue it with all your heart. Whatever you are passionate about, pursue it with all your heart,” said Hearn.

“God puts desires and dreams in our hearts for us to pursue. Seek His guidance and His strength and ask Him to do amazing things with your life. Be ready to embrace the obstacles that will come your way and overcome them; they come to test you and see if you will be patient and not give up,” he ended. (FREEMAN)