Interview with Éanna’s Mlynue Reeves

Éanna began their Super League campaign on Sunday afternoon at the ALSAA Sports Complex, and new American centre Mlynue Reeves began his professional basketball career after graduating from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately for Reeves, he ended up on the losing side as Griffith Swords Thunder came out on top 91-66. 

The 6'8" big-man is currently studying Management Principles at the Dublin Business School and he's looking forward to another challenge having had challenges throughout his life, "I love a good challenge, from deciding to leave home when I was 14 to going to boarding school. Then off to college at Gettysburg, I've always wanted to push myself. As you can see moving to Dublin to play basketball for Éanna and studying at Dublin Business School is just another example."

Mlynue was was born and raised in Washington DC by his parents and is the middle son of three boys. He took to basketball at a relatively older age than many kids at 13, and had played both football (American) and soccer, but basketball was always in the equation.

After he started to grow his attention focused solely on Hoops, but it was the failure of his high-school coach to play him that led to him taking the game more seriously. Mlynue said, "My high school coach (Marc Turner) not starting me as a Junior is a big reason I worked hard enough to play and excel in college. Also because of the respect I had for him it led me to want to go into a similar career field as he did." Turner owns a financial advisory company company outside of Philadelphia.

Mlynue loved his time at Gettysburg and doesn't hide it, "I loved Gettysburg, my college team-mates have become some of my closest friend. I would recommend going to Gettysburg to any student.

He grew up, like many kids, idolising 3-time NBA Finals MVP LeBron James but when asked if his game is based on anyone in particular he said, "I don't base my game on anyone. I see someone make a move then I try to add it into my arsenal. My favorite players to watch are Lebron, Lamarcus Aldridge, and Blake Griffin."

Reeves, like quite a lot of American players in Ireland, is very humble and says he's still working on his game, "Honestly I'm still working on my game. I don't want to put myself into a box about the type of player I am. My coach tells me something to do on the court and I'll do my best."

We asked him how the move to Irish Basketball, and in particular the move to Éanna came about, "My former College teammate Sean Gordon and Connor Poston got me into contact with Eanna."

Has he been well received since his arrival? "I'm still adjusting honestly, I've only been here for two weeks, but my team-mates seem great and Dublin is a cool city."

What will he bring to the basketball club? "I think I bring some energy and a positive attitude for Eanna. The game here is less about athletic ability and more about physicality. I want to compete, and continue to improve. This season is very much about learning about how to be a professional. Hopefully in the process we will win some games."