En route to collecting 685 career wins, National Top Sports Institute head coach Chris Chaney's teams have been known for depth, balance, and position-to-position power. Of course, boasting star-spangled rosters (as he did in North Carolina with an all Division-1 Laurinburg Prep team) has helped him cement his place on the coaching mountaintops.
Now in his inaugural season at NTSI, however, Chaney will pilot a less-heralded, less-known core of recruits.
With this group, however, Chaney envisions a crop of mid-major talent which may kick their recruitment up a few notches through this season alone.
A steadfast, one step at a time proponent, Chaney said he's focused on team progression and garnering national visibility as a team above everything else.
Though the expectations aren't as lofty as a contender on the same plane as an Oak Hill or IMG an unproven core has the potential to take people by surprise.
"We have a big group this year, I don't think we are national title contenders or anything like that, though I I think we have a lot of good, under the radar, hard-working kids," Chaney explained.
"Really, we spend a lot of time with the kids. Basketball-wise, we're going to teach them the right way to play and more importantly the right way to play as a team also. I think that's why, over the years I think our kids not just go to college but find success at their respective levels. They go in there with the right preparation, and mentality, and maturity so that there are no surprises.
NTSI hopes to have surprises with underrated guard Jalen Jordan.
Jordan, an athletic and instinctive 6-foot-3 guard, will seize some ownership of the program this season. A Conyers, GA product, Jordan proved his worth on the travel circuit with Stackhouse Elite this summer.
After averaging 17.5 points and creeping his way into Rockdale County's elite group of guards, Jordan has garnered Division-1 attention. A short list that included New Hampshire, Savannah State and Georgia State helped push the late bloomer to the prep route.
"Right now he's starting to get good, solid Division-1 attention," said Chaney of Jordan.
"He's stepping his game up tremendously and hopefully he'll play with a chip on his shoulder."
Also flushed into a prominent role for NTSI is Rasheed Browne. The 6-foot-1 guard from Philly, who committed to Florida Gulf Coast University, brings leadership in fortifying the backcourt.
"He comes from a great High School program in Neumann-Goretti (PA.). Rasheed has the opportunity to be a very special player."
NTSI has bolstered its frontline with the addition of Jose Moreno, a 6-foot-10 Columbian import.
Moreno will provide an immediate post presence with adequate rim protection. As Chaney noted, Moreno continues to improve with a refined back to the basket game.