There are currently 16 players on the Tarleton State University men’s basketball roster. Each of these players has stats that would impress anyone, but there is one player who is not so well known and does not have impressive stats equivalent to players like Chuck Guy or De’Andre Upchurch. That player is Rush Reisman, the 17th Texan.

Rush is the grandson of Athletic Director and men’s head basketball coach Lonn Reisman, and the son of associate head men’s basketball coach Chris Reisman.

“Rush was born on Jan. 26, right during basketball season. A week before I was about to go to A&M-Kingsville, Rush was born,” father coach Reisman said. “He has been to every home game since then. I started taking him out when he was about a year old. I would just let him come out with five minutes to go while the players did lay-up lines.”

Four-year-old Rush loves to go through the tunnel and lead the team onto the court. His favorite player changes on a day-to-day basis, but currently Emmanuel Lewis is his go-to guy.

Rush warms up with the team before games by leading the team stretches, correcting them during the pre-game warm up drills, and encouraging them to do their best. 

“Well, this is the first year he has done the full warm-ups with the team before the game,” Reisman said. “It started with stretching during the alumni game. He knew everything. The first home game, I wanted the guys to be focused, so I didn’t let him come on the court. Rush broke down, so I gave in and let him on the court. Ever since then the guys [the players] have loved it. Now he starts the stretches [and] leads the team.”

In the locker room, the young Texan even has his own locker, bag, and two jerseys, #40 after Devene Carter and #44 after Damion Clemmons. The youngest of the Reisman trio has become more like a younger brother to the Texan players than just the coach’s son.

“Rush Man is part of the team. He’s a younger brother. We always look out for him when he’s in the locker room, and he’s just like one of the guys,” said freshman power forward Sawyer Kipp.

Sophomore guard Michael Hardge added, “I love when Rush stretches with us. One time I messed up the stretches, and Rush yelled at me to correct me. He’s great.”

When asked if he wanted to play basketball for Tarleton, Rush quickly replied yes.

“I want to be Chuck Guy’s number. I want to be a baseball player, too. I [also] want to be a football player when I grow up,” Rush said.