Friday's game against California will hit home for Cate Reese as the Wildcats will be hosting a Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Game. Why will it hit home for the freshman? During her sophomore year of high school, Reese was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
"I found out my sophomore year of high school and it was definitely scary," Reese said. "My sister Ali had it before me, so I knew it was a possibility. I also think it was scary because I knew everything that I would have to do to manage it."
At this point in her life, Reese was already an uber-successful high school basketball player at Cypress Woods High School, and a diagnosis like this could derail any dreams of playing major college basketball. Reese had other thoughts.
"When I first got diagnosed I was afraid I wasn't going to be the same," Reese said. "Now I need to be more aware with how I am feeling. Sometimes you're not tired because you're out of shape, it could be because your blood sugar is too high or too low, so I need to be aware of myself, but I know that I can still do anything I want even though I have it."
Cate's older sister and former Arizona walk-on Ali Reese has been a person that has meant the world to her, especially when it comes to helping her manage her diabetes. Ali, who was also diagnosed at a young age, came to Arizona as a freshman with the intention of becoming a manager on the basketball team. Just a few weeks into the season, she was awarded a walk-on spot on the team after head coach Adia Barnes hosted walk-on tryouts.
Cate and Ali had always been close when they lived in Cypress, Texas, and they continue to be close as students at the University of Arizona. At the start of the 2018-19 season, Ali decided to medically retire, but is still a part of the program in a manager role.
"Ali has helped me a lot, especially in the beginning," Reese said. "She noticed before I was diagnosed that it could be a possibility and I've always watched her and learned a lot from her. She is very important to me."
Reese has accomplished quite a bit since her diagnosis during her senior year. She signed a National Letter of Intent with the Barnes and the Arizona Wildcats, was named a McDonald's All-American, was an honorable mention Naismith All-American and was ranked as the 14th-best prospect in the country by ESPN.
She arrived on campus during the summer of 2018 and immediately saw success. Reese became the first Wildcat since Shawntinice Polk in 2002 to record a double-double in her collegiate debut and became the 10th Wildcat ever to grab at least 18 rebounds in a game. She was also named Arizona's first Pac-12 Freshman of the week in late November after scoring 19 points and bringing down 16 rebounds against South Carolina State.
All student-athletes have to work hard and Reese is no exception, but most don't have to worry about managing something as serious as Type 1 Diabetes. She sees it as an opportunity though to inspire young kids to show them that they can still accomplish anything they want.
"I like to see younger kids looking up to me, because I can tell them that even if you have a disease like diabetes, you can still do anything you put your mind to," Reese said.
Reese sees Friday's promotion as a way to educate people who aren't aware of what Type 1 Diabetes really is.
"People know the word diabetes and know that it is an illness, but they don't know exactly what it is and what you have to do," Reese said. "I want people to be more aware of what it is and I want everyone to learn the symptoms so they can help save someone else."
Before Friday's game, there will be a pre-game reception for fans starting at 6 p.m. in the Jim Click Hall of Champions, where a few guest speakers will talk about living with Type 1 Diabetes. A few members of the Type 1 Diabetes community will be recognized during the game, and there will be information provided to fans throughout the game.
To see Reese and the Wildcats take on the 24th-ranked California Golden Bears, visit ArizonaWildcats.com for tickets.
