Alex Reinhardt wrestled and played football in high school and continued his football career at Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa. Reinhardt died Feb. 26, 2023, at 20, but his athletic story continues.
From Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, Reinhardt donated the cartilage that was transplanted into Lonzo Ball’s left knee in March 2023.
Ball hosted Reinhardt’s family members Wednesday night, bringing them onto the United Center court before the game.
He signed their jerseys, and the group posed for keepsake photographs.
Alex’s mother, Angie Reinhardt, also was eager to talk about her son. Angie said Alex was funny and liked to do everything fast, whether it was downhill skiing or boating. He was also generous and liked to help people.
“To be able to keep helping people after his death really feels like a blessing to all of us,” Reinhardt said.
Angie said she was familiar with Ball’s story.
She’s a certified occupational therapist, and Alex’s father, Carl, is a medical sales representative. Because of their medical backgrounds, they knew how hard it would be to return to playing NBA basketball after the surgery.
“It feels like such a blessing to be able to watch him play with a little bit of Alex in him and be able to meet [Ball],” Angie said. “It, of course, is bittersweet.”
Angie said meeting Ball was “extremely emotional.” Alex was an organ donor, and Angie said the family has received thank-you letters from recipients.
Injury talk
Coach Billy Donovan was blunt about guard Josh Giddey’s right wrist.
“It’s a problem,” Donovan said. “He’s dealing with it. They’re all dealing with stuff.”
Injuries — and the Bulls’ decision to sit Giddey, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Kevin Huerter in the blowout loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday— were still a topic of discussion a day later.
“This is my point, it’s a situation coming down to the end where the group’s put itself in the position to be able to play after the regular season,” Donovan said. “This was a decision that was made by the medical [staff]. Listen, they looped me into it. It makes sense to me when they explain it to me. I’m supportive of it, but it’s more of the rest of the season.”
Giddey, Vucevic, Huerter and White started Wednesday. Ball (right wrist) missed his 20th consecutive game.
Feel the speed
The Bulls entered Wednesday second in pace (103.6) and third in fast-break points (18.4) per game. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said “there’s a lot of different layers” to contending with how quickly the Bulls play on offense.
“Next-play speed is a big part of it,” Spoelstra said.
“Your offense also is a big part of it, keeping them honest. Just rebounding and playing off misses, it’s going to be a tough one. But if we’re generating the type of offense we want when we’re attacking, we’re getting them on their heels and ideally getting to the free-throw line a fair amount, then it’s a little bit more on our terms.”