Reeves decided to take the next step in his basketball career at the University of Providence, where he had high expectations as the highest-ranked recruit in Providence’s freshman class. 

According to Nelson, the decision came from Providence’s commitment to Reeves throughout his entire high school career. 

“Providence was one of the ones who kept recruiting him even through all the ups and downs,” Nelson said. “And then they were the first ones to offer him when he was young.”

Early on in his college career, Reeves delivered on his high expectations, scoring 29 points in his first game and averaging 14 points and five assists through his first ten games. The blistering start had Reeves projected on NBA mock draft boards, many of which had him drafted in the first round. 

However, Reeves' success was put to a halt when he suffered a stress fracture in his foot in his freshman year. The injury affected Reeves greatly—both mentally and physically, causing him to rely on support from loved ones.

“During that time it definitely got hard, but I just leaned on my circle a lot more,” Reeves said. “I was talking to my mom and dad a lot more during those times.”

When he returned to the court, Reeves struggled to return to his former level of play, leading him to come back to Providence for a second year. Reeves described the on-court struggles he faced in his sophomore year.

“Early on in that sophomore season, coach was taking me out of the starting lineup, and then putting me back in the starting lineup, so my mental [health] was all messed up,” Reeves said. “I just had to be able to flow with it and still be A.J. Reeves throughout all of that.” 

Right before the Big East tournament in his sophomore year, Reeves's season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I remember on the day of the Big East tournament, COVID hit on a worldwide scale and it shut everything down,” Reeves said. “And that really hurt because we knew we had a lot more to prove to everybody, myself included. I felt like everybody had kind of written me off and I just wanted to show people that I was still me.”

Throughout his journey, Reeves stayed true to the community that shaped him into the athlete and person that he became. 

Reeves described the impact that Coach Nelson had on him, and how Nelson inspired him to come back to Brimmer to help nurture the community's young athletes.

“What keeps me coming back to Brimmer is very simple: Tom Nelson,” Reeves said. “Tom keeps me coming back because I know what type of person he is. And, you know, he helped me become who I am today.”

Reeves also cited the Brimmer community as a reason for coming back.

“Brimmer built a great community, you know, and they're so supportive of us,” Reeves said. “I always want to come back and help the younger guys, you know, realize that they can be something special as well.”

Reeves' influence at Brimmer stretches from helping the Varsity I boys basketball team in games and practices to helping his girlfriend coach the Varsity girls' volleyball team. Reeves has remained committed to helping Brimmer’s young athletes reach their fullest potential. 

Reeves emphasized the importance of helping the basketball players of the Varsity I team in their pursuit of achieving their aspirations.

“I want them to have the opportunities that I didn't have,” Reeves said. “I learned a lot about the game of basketball and so I don't want to gatekeep any of that knowledge. I want to spread that knowledge to them so they know what they're getting into.”

Reeves also expressed his desire to help them better understand the college process.

“I want to tell them about my college experience so they know when they're going to pick their schools they know who to look out for in a coach,” Reeves said.

Nelson highlighted the impact Reeves has on the members of his team.

 “He lends a lot of experience to the younger guys and he's tough on them,” Nelson said. “But he understands what that means and the benefits of this community and what it's done for him. So he's always thankful and always wants to give back and always wants to help and make sure he's showing his love for this community.”