Chuck Eidson
Encyclopedia
Chuck Eidson is an American
professional basketball player. He is 2.02 m (6 ft 7 ½ in) tall and he plays mainly at the small forward
position. He can also play at both the point guard
and shooting guard
positions as well as a point forward
. He currently plays at FC Barcelona Bàsquet
.
where he was a Parade All-American and South Carolina
Gatorade Player of the Year. He played college basketball
at the University of South Carolina
with the South Carolina Gamecocks
. He also played at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in 1998 and at the Nike Hoop Summit
in 1999.
, he signed a one-year deal with the Giessen 46ers
in the German Basketball Bundesliga
. The team, that was on the verge of relegation the season before, was brought back to life by Eidson, who led the 46ers to the Bundesliga playoffs against RheinEnergie Köln. In the decisive game five, Eidson scored 40 points, leading Giessen to a 3-2 series win and straight to the semifinals, where they lost against the eventual champion GHP Bamberg
. For his stellar performance, the Small Forward was named the 2004-05 Bundesliga MVP. In a pre-season game versus EnBW Ludwigsburg
the following fall, Eidson suffered a torn ACL and sat out 172 days before returning to the starting lineup of the 46ers in a Bundesliga game against BG Karlsruhe. Only three games later, Eidson torched TBB Trier for 41 points. After the season, Eidson left Germany and signed with Strasbourg IG in the French ProA, where he also gained ULEB cup
experience. One year later, he signed with the Lithuanian powerhouse Lietuvos Rytas
of Vilnius.
When Eidson came to Lietuvos Rytas
, he quickly became a starter, and one of the team's leaders. His most memorable performance was in the Euroleague
game against Maccabi Tel Aviv
, when he scored 28 points and helped Rytas to win. FC Barcelona Bàsquet
attempted to buy his contract out, but he remained with Lietuvos Rytas.
He was named the MVP of the Eurocup for the Eurocup 2008-09
season, was a member of the all-Eurocup First team and became Eurocup champion. In the BBL
Final against BC Žalgiris
, Chuck Eidson scored a career high 41 points and was named the MVP. In 2009, he moved to the Israeli League
club Maccabi Tel Aviv, signing a two year contract.. In 2011 he left Maccabi Tel Aviv and signed a two-year contract with FC Barcelona Bàsquet
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player. He is 2.02 m (6 ft 7 ½ in) tall and he plays mainly at the small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
position. He can also play at both the point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
and shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
positions as well as a point forward
Point forward
Point forward is an unofficial playing position in basketball for those who share the attributes of both a point guard and a forward.A point forward is usually described as a forward who possesses the ball handling skills and court vision to bring the ball up the court and to initiate the team's...
. He currently plays at FC Barcelona Bàsquet
FC Barcelona Bàsquet
FC Barcelona Bàsquet, known as FC Barcelona Regal for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club. It is part of the FC Barcelona sports club and was founded on August 24, 1926 which makes it the oldest club in Liga ACB. The club competes in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto...
.
Amateur career
Eidson played high school basketball at Pinewood Preparatory SchoolPinewood Preparatory School
Founded in 1952, Pinewood Preparatory School is an independent, co-educational, college-preparatory day school located in Summerville, South Carolina....
where he was a Parade All-American and South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
Gatorade Player of the Year. He played college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
with the South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball
The South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team represents the University of South Carolina and competes in the Southeastern Conference. The program attained national prominence under hall of fame coach Frank McGuire, posting a 205-65 record and three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances from 1967-1976...
. He also played at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in 1998 and at the Nike Hoop Summit
Nike Hoop Summit
The Nike Hoop Summit is a basketball all-star game sponsored by Nike, held once a year, which features the USA Basketball Men's Junior Select Team against a World Select team of international players. The players demonstrate their skills and hope to attract attention from either NBA scouts or...
in 1999.
Pro career
After his college career with the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, Eidson spent a season with the North Charleston Lowgators of the NBDL. After a short stint with the Boston CelticsBoston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, he signed a one-year deal with the Giessen 46ers
Giessen 46ers
LTi Gießen 46ers is a basketball club based in Gießen, Germany that plays in the Basketball Bundesliga and the only team that never left the league since it was established in 1966. Their home arena is Sporthalle Gießen-Ost....
in the German Basketball Bundesliga
Basketball Bundesliga
The Basketball Bundesliga — commonly abbreviated BBL — is the highest level league of club basketball in Germany. The league comprises 18 teams. A BBL season is split into a league stage and a playoff stage...
. The team, that was on the verge of relegation the season before, was brought back to life by Eidson, who led the 46ers to the Bundesliga playoffs against RheinEnergie Köln. In the decisive game five, Eidson scored 40 points, leading Giessen to a 3-2 series win and straight to the semifinals, where they lost against the eventual champion GHP Bamberg
GHP Bamberg
Brose Baskets is a German professional basketball club that is based in Bamberg, Franconia. The club competes in the German League and the Euroleague. The club's home arena is Stechert Arena, formerly known as Jako Arena.-History:...
. For his stellar performance, the Small Forward was named the 2004-05 Bundesliga MVP. In a pre-season game versus EnBW Ludwigsburg
EnBW Ludwigsburg
EnBW Ludwigsburg is a basketball club based in Ludwigsburg, Germany that plays in the Basketball Bundesliga. Their home arena is Arena Ludwigsburg starting in 2009, after moving from Rundsporthalle Ludwigsburg.- Season by season :-Roster 2010–2011:...
the following fall, Eidson suffered a torn ACL and sat out 172 days before returning to the starting lineup of the 46ers in a Bundesliga game against BG Karlsruhe. Only three games later, Eidson torched TBB Trier for 41 points. After the season, Eidson left Germany and signed with Strasbourg IG in the French ProA, where he also gained ULEB cup
ULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
experience. One year later, he signed with the Lithuanian powerhouse Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos rytas is a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania playing in the Lithuanian Basketball League , the VTB United League, and the Eurocup...
of Vilnius.
When Eidson came to Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos rytas is a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania playing in the Lithuanian Basketball League , the VTB United League, and the Eurocup...
, he quickly became a starter, and one of the team's leaders. His most memorable performance was in the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
game against Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv (basketball)
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv B.C. is a professional Israeli basketball club based in Tel Aviv. The team plays in three leagues: the Euroleague, the Israeli Basketball Super League, and the Adriatic League....
, when he scored 28 points and helped Rytas to win. FC Barcelona Bàsquet
FC Barcelona Bàsquet
FC Barcelona Bàsquet, known as FC Barcelona Regal for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club. It is part of the FC Barcelona sports club and was founded on August 24, 1926 which makes it the oldest club in Liga ACB. The club competes in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto...
attempted to buy his contract out, but he remained with Lietuvos Rytas.
He was named the MVP of the Eurocup for the Eurocup 2008-09
ULEB Eurocup 2008-09
Eurocup Basketball 2008-09 was the seventh edition of Europe's second-tier level transnational competition for men's basketball clubs, and the first to be contested under the Eurocup name. From the inception of the competition in 2002, it had been known as the ULEB Cup...
season, was a member of the all-Eurocup First team and became Eurocup champion. In the BBL
Baltic Basketball League
Baltic Basketball League is a Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004.Currently, the league is divided into two: the Elite division and the Challenge Cup division. The 10 strongest Baltic basketball clubs participate in the Elite division. The rest of the teams compete in the Challenge Cup...
Final against BC Žalgiris
BC Žalgiris
BC Žalgiris is a professional basketball team that is based in Kaunas, Lithuania. It is one of the oldest teams in the Euroleague and plays domestically in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga , and regionally in the VTB United League...
, Chuck Eidson scored a career high 41 points and was named the MVP. In 2009, he moved to the Israeli League
Ligat Winner
Ligat HaAl , or the Israeli Basketball Super League, is the top tier of league basketball competition in Israeli basketball, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. For sponsorship reasons, the league is also referred to as Ligat Loto , lit...
club Maccabi Tel Aviv, signing a two year contract.. In 2011 he left Maccabi Tel Aviv and signed a two-year contract with FC Barcelona Bàsquet
FC Barcelona Bàsquet
FC Barcelona Bàsquet, known as FC Barcelona Regal for sponsorship reasons, is a Spanish professional basketball club. It is part of the FC Barcelona sports club and was founded on August 24, 1926 which makes it the oldest club in Liga ACB. The club competes in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto...
.
Personal
- He is married to his college sweetheart Samantha. A fellow GamecockSouth Carolina GamecocksThe University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
alum, Sam played middle blocker for the Kim Hudson-coached women's volleyball team throughout her college career. His twin children are named Charles III (Tripp) and Maddie. - Fellow 2008-09 Eurocup teammate Marijonas PetravičiusMarijonas PetraviciusMarijonas Petravičius is a Lithuanian professional basketball player. He currently a free agent. He is a member of the Lithuania national team...
was a teammate of his at South Carolina; their future wives were both on the women's volleyball team there. - When asked if he missed America and his family, he intelligently responded: "Of course. I love when I go home and get to see my family and get a break, but that is how everyone feels when they go on vacation. I consider myself as living in Europe. I am always excited and ready to come back."
- The fifth game of the quarterfinals series between GiessenGiessen 46ersLTi Gießen 46ers is a basketball club based in Gießen, Germany that plays in the Basketball Bundesliga and the only team that never left the league since it was established in 1966. Their home arena is Sporthalle Gießen-Ost....
vs Köln in 2005, where Eidson scored 40 points, was later portrayed in a documentary movie called "FÜNF (5)" (FIVE).