Opportunity will always be available in grassroots basketball, especially for those with a proven track record of success. Following his recent departure from coaching at College of Charleston, Jeff McInnis has officially reentered the travel ball scene with his storied Team Charlotte program. Last weekend was our first chance to see him on the sidelines with his new group, and the feeling certainly seemed familiar. Obviously, they have an abundance of talent within the roster, but it’s difficult to properly quantify the effect Coach McInnis brought to the team. His unique intensity (combined with vast, incredible knowledge of the game) genuinely propels individuals to play harder than normal. It’s not something you can measure, but you can definitely see the impact McInnis has with his players. Let’s take a closer look at some of the pieces…
There are several valuable guards on the roster, but guys like Columbus Parker, Malik McCotter, and QJ Young handle most of the creation responsibilities. Parker offers terrific balance and well-rounded ability as a guard who can run the offense or apply efficient scoring pressure from all levels. He knocks down jumpers at a high percentage despite his unorthodox release and makes smart decisions when attacking off the bounce. Parker has a strong frame and utilizes it well to make his presence felt as a defender and rebounder. That being said, McCotter is arguably the best shooting threat on the team. He’s a small guard with a nice blend of IQ, handle, and playmaking instincts. McCotter’s ability to dictate the action or excel as an off-ball threat allows him to play alongside any collection of teammates. He’s also a pesky defender with the quickness to keep opposing guards in front. Rounding out the trio, White is an absolute knockdown shooter whose overall game continues to expand. He knocked down jumpers at his usually high percentage, attacked closeouts, and made the extra pass when available. He utilized his length and motor to be disruptive defensively. White possesses incredible upside as he continues to grow into his body.
In terms of size, Lusemo Macharia and KJ Shouse each bring something different to the table. Macharis is long, athletic, and impacts the game with his constant energy on both ends of the floor. He’s a low-maintenance piece who doesn’t need a ton of offensive involvement to make his presence felt. Macharia finds success through playing hard, flying around to secure rebounds and block or alter shots defensively. He runs the floor properly in transition and is capable of finishing through contact or above the rim. Macharia can also attack opposing forwards/big men off the bounce when available. Meanwhile, Shouse offers a versatile, athletic identity with the ability to operate in various different roles based on team needs. He can initiate the offense, operate without the ball, and mix it up as a scorer from all levels. Shouse is able to create matchup problems for opponents, as he’s bigger than most perimeter players and too athletic to be contained by most forwards or post players. He plays hard, defends multiple positions, and rebounds well for his size.
This group also has a slew of useful guards and interior pieces that help push this team to another level. Each guy on this roster understands his respective role and how to consistently impact the game within the flow of the action. Folks should expect basically each guy on the team to be a target for college coaches.