Reid Aube going up for a jump ball. Photo by Chris Crews.

In a perfect world, you get recruited out of high school by the team you love and receive quality time in your freshman year in college.

That wasn’t the case for Reid Aube, who walked onto the Charlotte basketball team back in 2013. The story begins with his high school days and why Aube has now played in 24 games in his junior season under coach Mark Price.

Aube resides out of Concord, N.C., where he played for the Concord Spiders. In his time with the Spiders, Aube was an effort guy who was constantly on the floor, making plays that other guys his size wouldn’t think about making.

“I was always on the floor,” said Aube. “Me and my boy Jerry Burk were all over the court. We were called the ‘Smash Brothers’ in high school.”

As a junior at Concord, Aube averaged eight points and six rebounds per game, being named the team’s Most Improved Player, but still trying to figure out what style of play he should adopt. Should he shoot threes or become a post player?

Reid Aube shooting a free-throw. Photo by Chris Crews.

Aube was 6-foot-6 and roughly 180 pounds in his senior year at Concord. As a senior, he averaged 15 points, nine rebounds and four blocks per game. There was even a case that he could’ve won Most Improved Player again.

Even after leading his team to a 25-3 record and a section runner-up finish during his senior season to go along with his above average stats, Aube still didn’t have many offers coming his way.

“I had a few Division II looks, but my high school coach knew coach Odom at Charlotte,” said Aube. “So he called him and asked if he was interested in a walk-on. Then, I came over and played pickup with some of the guys on the team a few times and I guess they liked me.”

They liked him so much, the Charlotte team brought Aube in as their own.

“Next thing you know, the season comes around and I have a locker,” Aube said. “They gave me a jersey and told me to get out there.”

One of those times that they told him to get out there, was when he was trotted out to compete in the dunk contest his freshman year against the best dunker on the team, Shawn Lester. Aube held his own out on the court, bringing the fans to their feet with a couple big dunks, falling short of the upset victory at Charlotte’s Midnight Madness.

But as the season rolled around for the walk-on freshman, Aube didn’t know what exactly to expect.

Reid Aube looking on as Curran Scott shoots a free-throw. Photo by Maria Saenz.

“The first few months playing basketball was just an eye-opening experience. The game level is so much harder and so much more physical. So much more going on around me,” said Aube. “But once I figured out that I could actually hang with these guys, playing my game, which is just hard-nose, defensive minded, hustle ball, I did that. That ‘s how I got to where I am today.”

Aube saw action in four games his freshman year, seeing his first minutes against UNC Asheville on Dec. 1, 2013. He also recorded his first career rebound against Middle Tennessee on Feb. 20 of his freshman season.

In his sophomore season, Aube scored his first career points when he cruised in for a layup against Florida Atlantic on Jan. 29.

After not playing as much as he wanted to in his first two years at Charlotte, Aube knew he had to make a change in something. So, he spent countless hours in the weight room, adding roughly 45 pounds of muscle since high school, and constantly worked on his shot and post moves.

It was just a matter of time before Aube was going to get quality minutes off the bench. This time it would be under coach Price, after coach Ryan Odom and coach Alan Major left the program.

Coach Price loves the effort that Aube gives off the bench, knowing exactly what he gets when he throws in the junior walk-on.

“One thing that you know that you will get from Reid every night is effort and energy,” said Price. “The past couple games, we have needed him to step up and he has. He helps out getting Joseph Uchebo some rest and whenever someone goes down with an injury or foul trouble, we can count on Reid to come in and give us that energy that we need.”

Reid Aube tossing up a shot in the paint. Photo by Chris Crews.

After hearing what Price had to say about him, Aube said, “It feels pretty good to get the playing time, but I worked my butt off to get to where I am right now. The hard work is paying off.”

The hard work is paying off for Aube, as he has now played in 24 games in his junior season, getting his first and only start against Appalachian State on Dec. 19. Aube has piled up 155 minutes of playing time heading into the Conference USA tournament, averaging right at 6.5 minutes per game. Although the stats aren’t eye popping, none of that concerns him.

“I could care less if I score. I don’t care about my stats,” said Aube. “I’m an energy guy that goes in there to rebound and play defense.”

Although the stats don’t faze Aube, he put up a career high eight points and three rebounds against Marshall on Feb. 18, with 12 minutes. Aube played a career high 16 minutes against Middle Tennessee on Jan. 14.

Whenever the 6-foot-6 forward is thrown into the game, he can guard almost anyone on the court. Aube is usually matched up with centers who are 6-foot-10 or taller, still no problem for a guy who gives his all each and every play on offense and defense.

“I’ve always been the underdog,” Aube said. “I’m not worrying about the other guys size. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. I’m just trying to go out there and help my team get a win. That’s all I’ve done my entire life. There’s nothing better than winning.”

Although you might not hear Aube’s name after the team scores a bucket, he dives for the offensive rebounds to get his teammates that open look. No, he isn’t Superman, but he does fly around the court like a superhero, trying to get any loose ball on the court, giving his team the best chance to win.

Aube knows at the end of the day, he can only control so much. “I just put the work in and let the Lord handle the rest.”

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Reid Aube bringing the excitement to the court after a timeout. Photo by Chris Crews.