It was no longer a question of if, nor was it a question of when. Entering into St. Joe’s March 5 matchup with Rhode Island, it was clear senior Erik Reynolds II would surpass the record set by Jameer Nelson ’18 in 2004 to become the program’s leading scorer. 

Sitting just two points shy of the record and three away from surpassing it, it was all but certain Reynolds would further cement his name in St. Joe’s basketball history during his last game in Hagan Arena. 

With 5:50 left in the first half, Reynolds inched closer after heading to the line to sink two free throws that tied him with Nelson’s 2,094 points.

A little over two minutes later, Reynolds had all of Hagan Arena standing as he sunk a 3-pointer to break the record. Chants of “Erik Reynolds” from the student section filled the building as Reynolds ran back down the court with a grin. 

“I knew it happened because of the way the crowd sounded. It was a little different from the first bucket, so I was like, ‘Okay, that must have been it right there,’” Reynolds said. “There was just a huge smile on my face, a lot of emotion. But at the same time, we had a game to win, so I had to lock back in real quick.” 

Reynolds finished the game with 22 points in the 91-74 rout of Rhode Island, bringing him to 2,114 total points. In the age of name, image and likeness and the transfer portal, Reynolds staying with the program all four years and breaking the record is what Reynolds said he could only describe as “insane.” 

“It means the world to me. This place has been nothing but good to me ever since I got here,” Reynolds said. “Just to see everything unfold, just the trust in that vision, stay in it with the same coaching staff, it means everything.” 

Head coach Billy Lange even went as far as to compare Reynolds to Nelson, not just in their achievements on the court, but also in their character, for their selflessness, humility and decision to see it through for four years. 

Nelson was at the game to watch Reynolds break his record, sitting courtside, along with 76ers Joel Embiid. Nelson was sporting a shirt with a photo of him and a photo of Reynolds with the words “passing the torch” written on it. Lange said it was fitting that Nelson was there for the historic moment because it wasn’t just a celebration of what Reynolds did, but it was also a celebration of Nelson’s legacy within the program. 

“Think about how many good players have been here in the last 20 years, and for him to hold that record for as long as he did says a lot,” Lange said. “I look at it as we should be celebrating the guy that had the scoring record because he’s held it for a really long time.” 

With a minute and eight seconds left in the game and the Hawks up 90-72, Reynolds got his curtain call, leaving the court to a standing ovation from all of Hagan Arena in his final game in the building. 

Lange greeted him on the sidelines with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, in what he said was just the “flow” of the moment.

“To have that kid stay here for four years at the level player he is, it just says everything about who he is as a person,” Lange said. “I will dramatically miss him, and it’s not for the reasons everybody in this room probably thinks it is. It’s because he’s a throwback.”

With just one game left in the regular season against La Salle, a familiar opponent, Reynolds is on his way out. But Lange, who has described Reynolds as a “transformational” player for the program all season, said he sees his fingerprints all over the locker room he’s leaving behind. 

“There’s humility, there’s selflessness, there’s appreciation, there’s respect, there’s courage, there’s loyalty, there’s faithfulness,” Lange said. “It’s literally the thread of that locker room right now, and they’re all here because of him. He’s changed the brand.” 

Sophomore Anthony Finkley, who had a career-high 18 points against the Rams, confirmed Reynolds was a big part of the reason he committed to St. Joe’s. 

“He had a big role, honestly, because it was like the program was taking a turn, getting guys like this,” Finkley said. “I’m in high school watching him go crazy in the A-10 Tournament, I mean, just wanted to be there and be a part of it.” 

Now, with his name etched in the history books, Reynolds, who said he was never concerned with the record, said that while it was a little surprising, above all else, it was “a blessing.” 

“This place has been nothing but good to me,” Reynolds said. “So, it was a lot, but also a lot to be thankful for as well, a lot to be blessed about. So, I just really appreciate the opportunity to be here.”