Bullock is nation's best

 Kinston High School basketball star Reggie Bullock has had some serious accolades in his young career, including being part of a state championship team, committing to play at the University of North Carolina and being listed as one of the top players in the Class of 2010.

The biggest honor to date, though, came Tuesday when ESPN.com named him the national high school basketball player of the week.

The announcement - which can be found online at http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/basketball/boys/news/story?id=3738596 - cited Bullock's play last week in the Trusted Choice Tournament of Champions in Peoria, Ill. Bullock shattered the tournament record for points in a game (36) and tournament (97) in leading the Vikings to the championship. He was named MVP of the tourney.

"This shows that the hard work I did to get ready for the tournament paid off," Bullock said. "I thank God for giving me the talent and the ability to go up there and show people what I can do."

Bullock's coach, Wells Gulledge, said he was proud of his student-athlete.

"He's put in a lot of hard work from a young age and he truly earned this honor," Gulledge said. "It's great for Reggie and it's great for this area. When you see Reggie Bullock and Kinston on ESPN, that's as much buzz nationally that's come through here since Jerry Stackhouse was here."

As is his custom, though, Bullock deflected praise and credited his teammates for helping him pick up the honor.

"This was a team achievement," Bullock said. "I'm as proud that people liked the way we carried ourselves on and off the court up there as I am of this (honor)."

Gulledge said Bullock's humility is one of his best features.

"He is the most humble young man you'd ever want to meet," Gulledge said. "He's so gracious and the sky is the limit for him. He was very approachable in Illinois and I talked with many people who were impressed with his personality."