By Iosa McMahon
Three years ago, Reese Fellows was a senior at West Canada High School in Newport, NY that had just made school history.
After playing for four years on varsity, Fellows had recorded 1,000 career rebounds, the most ever at the school. She also scored over 1,000 career points, making her one of the best players to ever play for West Canada.
Because of her strong performance, she was recruited to play for the Cortland women’s varsity basketball team and officially committed in April of that year.
Fellows arrived on campus in the fall of 2023 to begin her collegiate basketball career, stepping into a new chapter full of opportunity and challenges. Transitioning from high school to college, she joined the Cortland women’s varsity basketball program, ready to contribute her skills as a power forward and center.
“I was excited and ready to start my college basketball journey, but I was also really nervous,” Fellows said. “It was a big step, and I wanted to do my best while learning and figuring out my new life”.
However, as classes started, Fellows had a hard time adjusting to college life. While she loved being part of the Cortland women’s varsity basketball team, she began struggling with her own mental health and personal challenges, which made her realize she wasn’t enjoying the sport the way she had before.
“While playing in college was a big dream of mine, it is time consuming,” said Fellows.
The varsity team practiced six days a week, with two sessions on two days. Fellows had expected she would be ready for the time commitment.
“Basketball had been the focus of my entire life up to that point,” said Fellows.
From a young age through high school, her days were filled with practices, games, and training, leaving little room for anything else.
Coming to college and being on her own for the first time, she realized she wanted the time and space to figure out who she is as a person, to explore new interests, and to grow both academically and personally.
In November of her freshman year, she made the difficult decision to leave the team to focus on herself and her academics. The experience was difficult, but it taught her a lot about herself and the importance of prioritizing her wellbeing.
Jillian Sweeney lived with Fellows that year, and the two are still friends and roommates. Sweeney said she remembers Fellows feeling enormous pressure in her first year at Cortland.
“Reese was under so much pressure during her freshman year,” said Sweeney. “She’d spent her whole time focused on basketball. I barely ever saw her at the dorm, it was hard to get to know her. I could tell that adjusting to college life while keeping up with the team and classes was stressful for her.”
For years, her life had revolved around basketball, and suddenly she was facing a faster paced game, tougher competition, and the independence of living on her own.
The stress she experienced wasn’t just about athletics. It was about navigating a whole new world, balancing academics, social life, and personal growth all at once.
After finishing her first semester, Fellows went home for winter break to take time for herself and reflect on her priorities. During that time, she realized that she wasn’t ready to give up on basketball entirely, but she also didn’t want it to consume her life the way it had before.
With this new perspective, she returned to campus for the spring semester of her freshman year and decided to try out for the women’s club basketball team, seeking a way to continue playing the sport she loved while keeping a healthier balance in her life.
“I love being part of the club team. Looking back, I’m glad I made the decision I did two years ago,” Fellows said. “I get to play basketball, have fun, and still focus on other parts of my life.”
Now, Fellows has been on the women’s club basketball team for two years. She has found a balance between basketball, school, and her personal life. Reese loves being part of the team and playing the sport she cares about, while also having time for herself and her friends.