Shamsid-Deen, Reed end Auburn basketball careers
AUBURN, Ala. (auburntigers.com) – Auburn’s Tahj Shamsid-Deen has ended his basketball career while Trayvon Reed will not return, head coach Bruce Pearl announced on Friday.
Shamsid-Deen played in only five games this past season because of injury as he separated his surgically repaired right shoulder on Nov. 27 vs. Northwestern State. He missed the season opener with a shoulder injury in addition to the final 11 games of the previous season to have surgery on both of his separated shoulders.
The Decatur, Ga., native re-injured his right shoulder at No. 10 Xavier on Dec. 19 after playing only six minutes and missed the rest of the season. He had successful surgery on his right shoulder on Jan. 21. Named to the Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll and an Academic Top Tiger, he had a season-high eight points in 16 minutes vs. Georgia Southern.
“Tahj gave it all he had,” said Pearl. “He continued to fight and comeback many, many times and that shows how tough he is. The doctors say he has been though a lot, and it is time. He is a true student-athlete with the student being first.
“There is no telling what kind of a season we could have had had we not lost our starting point guard, our best perimeter defender and a true leader.
“He will graduate in December in Finance and then will earn his MBA after that. He’s a tough kid, and he has a bright future. I really appreciate all he did and will continue to do for Auburn.”
The 5-foot-9 Shamsid-Deen was the starting point guard for all 30 games as a freshman in 2013-14, averaging 9.5 points and 2.9 assists. The first Auburn freshman to start every game since Quantez Robertson in 2005-06, he scored 17 points on 5-of-8 3-pointers at Florida.
“It has been tough,” said Shamsid-Deen. “It is probably my first injury I ever have had. For those to be the first injuries and to end my career is pretty devastating. My parents built the foundation where school would always be a backup plan for me. I’m going to continue to get my degree at Auburn in December in Finance and then my master’s degree with a MBA and MSS starting in January.
“My parents always set that foundation where I would have to do schoolwork if I wanted to play basketball. That has definitely come into play now that I have decided to end my career in basketball. I am glad that I did that. That has always been my M.O. to get my work done in order to play basketball.”
Shamsid-Deen averaged 6.1 points and 1.5 assists as a sophomore in 2014-15, scoring a career-high 21 points vs. Louisiana, including 18 in the second half. He had successful surgery on both of his shoulders with his left shoulder operated on Feb. 19 and his right shoulder on March 24.
“Aside from my family, Coach Pearl and Auburn were my biggest supporters and helped me every step of the way and were committed to me in pursuit of my undergrad and master’s degrees,” Shamsid-Deen said. “I want to thank Dr. (James) Andrews, Dr. (Michael) Goodlett and his team with Jermile (Brooks) and Clark (Pearson) and Dave (Walsh).
“I am just glad that Coach Pearl was there supporting me along with the whole coaching staff and the support of the fans. I received letters from so many fans after my surgery. That meant a lot to me, and I really appreciate all of the love I received the last three years.”
Reed, a 7-foot-2 sophomore center, is leaving the team. The Mobile, Ala., native was redshirted this season after appearing in 23 games last season after joining the team in December.
“Trayvon worked extremely hard during his redshirt season to come back,” said Pearl. “I wish him well in the future.”
Reed had four points, five rebounds and a career-high five blocks in Auburn’s double overtime win over Xavier, who reached the 2015 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. He had a career-high eight rebounds vs. Winthrop.
“I appreciate all of the people who have helped me at Auburn,” said Reed. “I am grateful to my coaches and teammates for all of their support.”
