49ers Nab Braswell

Ron Bailey, Publisher

October 10, 2008 – A week ago, Chris Braswell took a trip to North Carolina from his Virginia-based school, Hargrave Military Academy. The six-foot-nine, 230 pound forward traveled to Charlotte to be exact. The visit had wide ranging implications for his future.

“He’s going to attend Charlotte”, also known as UNC-Charlotte, shared Chris’ mother Lesa Braswell of her son’s college decision. “The school is great, and the people are wonderful”.

Having attended the official visit with Chris, Lesa went on to share “They talked mostly about academics. They want him to get two degrees!...He’ll be focused and stable. The academics are amazing.”

Chris Braswell (orange), will wear the green and gold of UNC-Charlotte next year.

A major factor in Chris’ decision was the school’s small class size (reportedly an average of 15-16 people), something the Braswell’s have indicated was extremely importantly. Resultantly, Xavier and Charlotte were neck and neck for the Class of 2009 forward’s services, while Maryland and Indiana, though considered, were behind the first two in the final analysis.

There were other selling points that benefited the Charlotte 49ers, a program coached by Bobby Lutz. First off is the proximity to family, as North Carolina is relatively close to the Braswell’s Maryland home. Moreover, Lesa shared “My family is from Rocky Mount and up and down (Interstate) 85”. To that end, “Indiana was too far”.

Second was Lutz himself and others in the program. “All the kids there loved Lutz” recalled Lesa of Charlotte’s head coach. “My mother (Christine, who individually financed her way on the trip) was very impressed. She talked to the coach, academic director and athletic director. “They talked from the heart, and put God first, then family, then school, then ball”.

Additionally, Chris’ mom commented “The campus is beautiful, and Charlotte is beautiful”. That includes the school’s state of the art Miltimore-Wallis Athletic Training and Academic Center – where teams can not only train, but study – and of course greater Charlotte, one of the nation’s fastest growing and most desirable cities.

From a basketball perspective, Braswell should fit right in at Charlotte and its league, the Atlantic 10, as a skilled power forward adept at the elbow and around the rim, facilitating others, scoring, rebounding and blocking shots.

This closes a long recruiting process for Braswell, one that started with a commitment to Georgetown close to two years ago. Lesa was firm in wanting to acknowledge all who coveted her son: “I must tell all the schools it was a pleasure talking to them. Thanks for the interest and it means so much they had faith in him academically and athletically. I wish them the best of success”.

As does the i95Ballerz.com family to Chris. He’s soldiered through setbacks and challenges, and now finds himself on the verge of not only high level college basketball, but starting the process to securing a much coveted degree.

Hats off to Chris Braswell. Keep doing our do young guy.

Those interested in seeing Braswell play, be sure to check out the DMV vs Philly Challenge Saturday!