East Kentwood star waiting for a college to take a chance on him

C.J. Reynolds pushes the ball up court while playing with the West Michigan Drive at the Brawl for the Ball on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Reynolds will be a senior at East Kentwood in the fall. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - C.J. Reynolds looked like he could score at will.

He’d pull up for a jumper and drain it. Then he’d weave through two defenders and then drive to the basket and score again.

The talented 6-foot-3, 170-pound guard finished with 31 points while playing for the West Michigan Drive 17U team at the Brawl for the Ball travel basketball tournament on Saturday, July 18.

Reynolds, who will be a senior at East Kentwood High School in the fall, is one of the most talented basketball players in the state.

So it’s surprising that he has zero college offers. 

“It’s been a long journey,” Reynolds said. “I had to sit out two years after tearing my ACL. So that kind of hurt my interest. I’m still pushing to get a scholarship.”

Has it been frustrating?
“Yea, a little bit,” he said. “But I’m just waiting for my time. God’s got a different story for me that’s waiting to be written.”

Reynolds missed most of his sophomore season year after tearing the ACL in his knee. 

“I had an ACL injury,” he said. “I recovered from that. But then it was still swollen, so I had to get scar tissue removed. But I’m all good now.”

He was so good that he averaged 17 points per game last season for an East Kentwood team that was dominant all year and finished 22-3 before falling to Northview in the regional title game. 

“Our team’s really good,” Reynolds said. “We only lost one guy in RJ Chapman. We’re all coming back, so we’ve got chemistry. I think it will be a long season for us.”

The starting lineup of Reynolds, Samuel Makuag, Jeremiah Cook and Andrew Kenyi all return for their senior years. 

“It’s going to be be a big deal this year,” Reynolds said. “I’ll play every game like its my last. I’m hoping we can get all the way to The Breslin this year.”  

C.J. Reynolds sets up a play while playing with the West Michigan Drive at the Brawl for the Ball on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Reynolds will be a senior at East Kentwood in the fall. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).