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Charles Ward has played basketball professionally all over the country and in different parts of the world. And, on the brink of making an NBA roster back in 2002, only one player was able to stop him: Michael Jordan.
Back then the North Myrtle Beach High School graduate was a youngster in the hoops world, just out of college at Division II St. Augustine, where he put up impressive numbers. Now a veteran of NBA summer league action and training camps, minor league basketball teams in the U.S. (not to mention a stint with the famous Harlem Globetrotters), and overseas competition, Ward's goal remains the same: Get another chance in the NBA.
Ward recently took the time to answer some questions about his journeys along the way and his outlook for the future:
Q&A: North Myrtle Beach High graduate Charles Ward
Q | You're obviously a veteran of the basketball world. What options are you looking at for this upcoming season?
Charles | Well, there were a couple teams - Germany, Australia and a couple teams in [the Premier Basketball League]. I really wanted to get into the Boston Celtics' training camp; they got rid of their wingman that did it all (Tony Allen) and I feel as if that would be a good place for me to be, cause I can do everything that he can but I can shoot better than he can.
Q | You've had a taste of everything from the NBA to the ABA to different leagues overseas. Tell me about some of the things you've learned through the experiences and explain the hardships and/or blessings of continuing to play all these years.
Charles | The first thing is always be thankful but never be content - and be humble because the same people that make you can break you. There is always someone coming to take your spot. The basketball world has gotten away from the true skill level of players and has become so political that good players can't even get a shot because of someone's golf buddy, or the friend of someone at some big university. It's a lot of talent just walking around the U.S.
Q | Out of all the places you've been, what is the best advice you've received, who was it from and why was it so important to you?
Charles | It was while working out with the Atlanta Hawks, Charles Oakley told me "to take my time and try to learn as much as possible, don't expend a lot of energy doing nothing" - that meant that when I'm playing [to] get to my spots, do what I need to to be successful, don't mess around and don't let up.
Q | After so much time playing, was there ever any point or points where you considered giving it up? If so, how did it play out and what kept you going?
Charles | Yeah, there were a couple times i was out [of] the country and didn't really like the situation that I was in, or there were times where I would get cut by an NBA team and wonder is this really for me. But my mom has always been my biggest supporter and she, along with my family, are the reason why I cant stop. God has given me a gift that not a lot of people will ever possess and I don't want [to] waste it.
Q | Tell me about the Globetrotters and what that experience was like?
Charles | Fantastic. I had just got cut by the Wizards for the greatest player alive (M.J.) and then I got a deal to go play in Iceland. It was a good experience but it didn't work out. I came home and worked out for the Trotters and had a contract waiting for me before the workout was over. They actually were the closest thing to the NBA, as far as the fan fare, the glitz, the glam, the money. It was great. We played in all the major cities, and all the NBA arenas. There was nothing like it. I will always be grateful for the opportunity that they gave me.
Q | You've played in many different countries. Tell me about anything specific that was interesting for you on or off the court from country to country.
Charles | Aw, man. That's a story within itself. But I tell everyone this overseas basketball is not for everyone. You have guys in the NBA that wouldn't be able to function overseas, and then you have those who flourish. BUt at times it can be the ultimate test of everything that you yourself could ever imagine, and then in some cases it could be smooth sailing [with] no bumps at all. There are so many things that can go wrong overseas but there plenty things that can go right. For instance, your money could be late, short [or] you might not get it at all. But then you could sign a very lucrative deal there and be OK because it is tax-free.
Q | You've played in many U.S. basketball minor leagues. What have those experiences been like and what is the state, in your opinion, of minor leagues in the U.S.?
Charles | WOW, that is a crazy subject. Minor league basketball could be so much better but so many people start these leagues and think they [are] going to become millionaires overnight, instead of bringing a team to a city to help build the city up, give the people something to do. Then you will have all the support of the community, city, the state even, but that's not how it's done a lot of the times. I have played in the NBDL and the team folded, I have played in the ABA and it's the same thing, and the crazy part about the ABA is that without the ABA there would be NO NBA! Half the NBA franchises were ABA teams at first, so wouldn't this league be the hub for getting players, money and notoriety. I also played in the PBL for two seasons with the Wilmington Sea Dawgs. They were on to something big there, it's a lot of money there in the community, I was pretty much the face of that franchise. I was always promoting the team, I had a commercial, I would throw parties and we stay doing appearances. But we lost one of our majority owners to a plane crash and financially things kind of went south. But they were probably the best minor leauge team that I have ever been a part of. They were a first-rate organization - everything done on the up and up. Shouts out to "Pete Gratele" and the whole Sea Dawg franchise.
But if the right people look at and pay attention to the location and the financial part of owning a franchise then it could be great. I think Myrtle Beach needs a team. They have all the elements to be a good city for that - not a big college town and during the winter there is not a lot going on; high school basketball is really the only entertainment during the winter. You also have a gym to play in already [in] the [Myrtle Beach Convention Center] that only gets used once a year for the Beach Ball Classic. But that's a topic I have so many ideas for, so I could go on for days.
Q | What is your ultimate goal in basketball at this point?
Charles | Possibly get back in the NBA to play a couple full seasons but ultimately, for my family to have to want for nothing! I also want to build a facility that will train kids and show them fundamentals, not for just basketball, all sports (basketball, track, football, soccer, tennis, swimming, golf, baseball) and most important tutoring for school, SAT, ACT. Practice - it's crucial that they know what they have to face early. A lot of times talented kids get the short end of the bargain because the people that claim they are close to don't have their best interests at hand, so this would be a way for every kid to have full advantage of all their opportunities.
Q | I know it's still early, but do you have any plans for life after your playing days and what are they?
Charles | Coaching or possibly a general manager. I have played and been around basketball my whole life and I have become a sponge trying to take all knowledge that I get from every experience that I have, every team that I play for, every coach that I come across. I would love to come home to a nice-paying coaching job. There is nothing else that I want to do - that's just how much I love the game of basketball.
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