Columbus State gets a good one; a Knight becomes a Cougar
EVANS, Ga. (BVM) — The Evans High School boys basketball team had a school-best season in 2019-20. Finishing the year with a 22-7 record, they were able to win their first ever regional title and reach the elite eight. None of it would have been possible without their best player and college commit, Christian Chambers. When the going got tough, the 6-foot-2 point guard made sure that he showed up.
The Augusta Chronicle Player of the Year averaged 22.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. In the regional tournament, Chambers hoisted the team on his back and never slowed down. The semifinals saw him post 31 points and in a follow-up effort, the regional finals, log 28 points.
His contributions were recognized throughout the state, as he earned first team all-state honors as well as Region 3-AAAAAA Player of the Year. With all of the accolades, on top of ending his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer, Chambers passes the eye test as a solid college basketball recruit.
However, he is committed to Division II Columbus State University, opting to stay close to his home in Evans. Chambers says that throughout the recruiting process, the school’s coaching staff made him a priority. They made concerted efforts to stay connected with him and keep up with his season.
“I went to a camp, they saw me play three games there and offered me then. I went on a visit, liked the campus and facilities, and they were honest through the whole process,” Chambers said. “They came to most of my games during the season, too.”
And although the future Cougar is excited for the next stage of his playing career, he also feels as though he was slept on. Chambers believes he is a Division I talent that was simply under-recruited. He says that if he were in the Atlanta area rather than Augusta, he’d have gotten more eyes and more opportunities.
“People don’t come to Augusta looking for basketball players. If you look at Augusta’s basketball history, there are plenty of Division I players who had to go JUCO, Division III or Division II before Division I,” Chambers said. “But everything happens for a reason.”
Nonetheless, the Columbus State men’s basketball team will be getting an exceptional talent with a knack for shining in crunch time. For example, the 31 and 28 point games he had in the regional tournament to keep the Knights alive. Or, the two free throws he calmly knocked down towards the end of regulation in a regular season game to come out on top, 61-59.
“I want the ball and they [teammates and coaches] trust me with it,” Chambers said. “That way if we lose, I can take all the blame for it. I have no problem with that. I just like the ball in my hands in key moments.”
So whether he’s actually considered a Division I prospect or a true Division II prospect, the Cougars of Columbus State will be getting a player looking to accomplish some hefty goals with a chip on his shoulder.
“Be the leading scorer, conference player of the year. … I think those are some good goals,” Chambers said. “Whatever they need me to do, though, I just want to help the team.”