A Harlan County hooper stole our hearts in the Sweet 16. An accident stole a few of his fingers this summer. Now Reggie Cottrell is back to playing the game he loves.

The Harlan County Black Bears had never won a state tournament game. Thanks in large part to the high-flying heroics of Trent Noah, who signed to play for Mark Pope at Kentucky this spring, they advanced all the way to this year’s Sweet 16 finals. Noah wasn’t the only player who stood out during that memorable run.

Reggie Cottrell’s long hair became the talk of Rupp Arena. He wasn’t just a sideshow. Cottrell can ball. Unfortunately, his athleticism wasn’t what made headlines over the summer.

During a Fourth of July party, the rising junior was attempting to light a firework when it suddenly exploded. He was airlifted to UK Hospital where surgeons amputated his pointer finger and parts of his middle and index fingers. Cottrell also had to have a metal wire put in his broken thumb.

During the scary ordeal, his sister, Lexie, shared an optimistic message.

“I just wanna say no matter what happens we know our boy gonna be out there on that court! It may be hard and it may be a struggle but Reggie Cottrell is a fighter! He will not give up.”

She wasn’t lying. Just two months later he is back on the hardwood dunking a basketball.

This kicks so much ass on so many different levels. Cottrell has taught us you don’t need an index finger to throw down a windmill dunk.

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