In this file photo, Chris Early keeps the ball inbounds in a game against Warren Wilson at McKenzie Arena.Chris Early watched the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball team practice in a cold McKenzie Arena during the winter break of the 2007-08 season.
He sat on the visitors bench and dribbled a ball between his legs, looking up now and then at the action and saying little even to those who spoke to him.
Mocs coach John Shulman invited Early to his Lookout Mountain home for dinner that night. The coach knew Early’s basketball skills were outstanding for the Southern Conference level, but he didn’t know the young player.
Then Shulman’s youngest son, John Carter, came running up from the basement chasing Early and tossing Nerf balls as best as a 2-year-old could throw.
It’s a moment neither Early nor Shulman will forget, despite the fact Early ripped Shulman on Twitter to his friends in November, ultimately resulting in the coach dismissing Early from the team Monday.