Reed finds his shot in the Rockies' rare air.(basketball player Justin Reed)

Although he has sweated through 19 Mississippi summers, which can be like walking through a sauna chugging Tabasco sauce, Ole Miss forward Justin Reed complained he could not catch his breath upon being introduced to the atmosphere in the Rocky Mountains.

In Colorado Springs, Colo., early last month to compete for a spot on the U.S. World University Games team, Reed was bothered at first by the altitude and, perhaps a little, by the elevated reputation of the other players assembled.

Reed was a grinder in his first season with the Rebels, relentless and reliable, but he averaged only 11 points and 5.9 rebounds while defending taller and wider (but never ...