Hoops star hangin' out on 'Hang Time'
December 16, 1996

It probably didn't hurt that he was voted "Most Articulate NBA Star" by TV Guide and "Sports Hunk of the Year" by Cosmopolitan Magazine when Reggie Theus decided he wanted to pursue acting following his NBA career.

Reggie studied acting for five summers with Howard Fine (one of the best in the biz). But it wasn't until someone came up to him while shooting hoops with some friends at The Forum and asked if he was interested in auditioning for a part on a show called "Hang Time" that he got to put his acting skills to work.

Five interviews later, Reggie got the role of Coach Bill Fuller on "Hang Time" which airs on NBC Saturdays at 10:30-11:00 a.m. Combining comedy and sports, "Hang Time" follows the exploits of the Deering Tornadoes, a boys basketball team in Indiana with a secret weapon, a female player with a great jump shot.

Reggie said that interviewing for an acting job is the most humbling experience, especially for athletes who are accustomed to being the best at what they do. Interestingly enough, Reggie feels that the interview and audition process in acting are a lot harder than the acting job itself.

Besides acting, Reggie is an analyst for Turner Sports and Prime Sports. Reggie says his acting experience has helped tremendously with his broadcasting work. He said it has helped him to be comfortable in being himself and with his on-camera presence. You can see for yourself this Friday, Dec. 20th at 8 p.m., Reggie will be working for TNT as an analyst for the NBA Studio Show during pre-game and halftime of Utah's game at Orlando.

In his 14 year NBA career, Theus was a two-time NBA All-Star and one of only six players in NBA history to score over 19,000 points and have over 6,000 assists. He made the All-Rookie First Team and was runner-up rookie of the year.

Reggie has helped get some NBA players -- Grant Hill, Muggsy Bogues and Alonzo Mourning -- to make appearances on "Hang Time."

"Most actors want to be athletes and most athletes want to be actors," said Theus.

Looks like there may be another actor in the Theus family, his daughter Racquel has just read for a part on the NBC hit television show "ER."

This and That

"Monday Night Football" announcers Frank Gifford, Al Michaels and Dan Dierdorf guest on "Coach," Wednesday, Dec. 18th at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. ... Tennis bad boy John McEnroe has been in the recording studio finishing his yet-to-be-named rock n' roll album. I think "Smash Hits" would make a good title for McEnroe's debut album -- What do you think?

If you are looking for a stocking-stuffer you might want to consider "NBA At 50" -- A Musical Celebration," a CD paying tribute to the NBA's 50th Anniversary. "NBA At 50" is a collection of 14 songs, both reworked classic R&B/pop tracks and new songs written and recorded specifically for the project and performed by many of today's top recording artists.

My favorite song on the CD-Marvin Gaye's stirring 1983 All-Star Game rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" -- first time on a U.S. release. Interspersed throughout the CD are actual radio excerpts from some of the NBA's most exciting moments, such as Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point.

"NBA At 50" was conceived and produced by artist manager (and husband of singer Vanessa Williams) Ramon Hervey II. Yes, Vanessa does sing on the album.