Chime’s Global Journey to UWG Men’s Hoops
By: Danny Talbert | February 27, 2026
CARROLLTON, Ga. - Represented by 55 countries as of fall of 2024, the University of West Georgia attracts students from here in the City of Dreams and the farthest corners of the globe, bringing together a diverse community with unique backgrounds, and UWG Athletics is no different. Making his way from Enugu, Nigeria, the journey of UWG men’s basketball forward Kenneth Chime stands as one of the many inspirational stories shaping the Carrollton campus today.
Located in southern Nigeria, the state of Enugu is known for its strong agricultural roots, vast coal mines and rich traditions, but one thing it is not known for is its basketball scene. In fact, the majority of kids growing up in Enugu choose to play sports like soccer over basketball, including Chime.
“Some guys played basketball in the big cities like Abuja and Lagos, but I played soccer my whole life. Soccer was the love of my life,” stated Chime.
Standing at 6’9” with a 7’4” wingspan, Chime’s size always stood out among the rest. It was actually what prompted his older brother to suggest that he should try basketball.
“My brother was always pushing me to do things. One day, he said, ‘With your size, I think you should try basketball.’ So I tried it,” described Chime.
Playing soccer throughout his early life, Chime picked up a basketball for the first time at age 12.
“I didn't like it at first because it was weird bouncing the ball. I was used to using my feet, not my hands,” described Chime. “I didn't really put much into learning it. I gave like 60 percent to soccer, 40 percent to basketball.”
Slowly over the next two years, Chime became increasingly invested in the sport of basketball. By the age of 14, he was invited to play in the lone local league, the Enugu State Basketball Association.
“I was 14 going against grown men. I was tall, but I still got bullied a little bit,” Chime described his first experience playing organized basketball. “It taught me physicality. The veterans made it tough. They’d elbow you in the mouth, punch you, and then tell you to not be a cry baby about it.”
Chime competed in the league for a handful of years before being spotted by a scout who had connections to the American basketball circuit. These connections led to Chime earning a chance to attend and play for the McCallie School, a college-preparatory school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Betting on himself, Chime moved to America on his own to chase the dream of one day being a professional basketball player.
Understandably, Chime faced some culture shock on and off the court when he first arrived. “Kids here (America) let their parents do their laundry. That was funny. It was also nice having electricity here. There's a lot of light. I don't have to use a candle or flashlight to do my schoolwork.”
On the hardwood, Chime described the style of play as being completely different from what he had become accustomed to. “Back home we didn’t have coaches. We didn’t have plays. No, you can just get the ball, and go. The pace back home it's faster. It’s also tougher and more physical.”
With now having dedicated coaches to help perfect his craft, combined with the new change of pace, Chime was forced to adapt the way he played from the way he learned the game. “I started playing more tentatively. I was used to being a kid going against adults. I couldn’t play as physical here. I was also not fully developed in basketball. No one ever taught me how to play soccer, I just played and I was good. Basketball is way different. My coaches (at McCallie) made me work with my left hand. It was really hard because I only played with my right. They also helped with my shooting.”
Playing for the JV squad his junior year, Chime earned a starting varsity role by his senior season.
Splitting his time at the McCallie School and training in Dallas, Texas, during the offseason, Chime’s Texas trainer, Tyler Relph, put the big man on UWG basketball’s radar.
“Tyler played for us at St. Bonaventure when I was an assistant,” said head coach Dave Moore. “He sent me a video of Kenneth doing individual workouts. He's like, ‘This kid's really raw, but man, he's really athletic, he's super long, he's got potential.’”
Intrigued by Chime’s length and raw potential, Moore and assistant coaches Andy Young and Mark Schult made the two-hour trip to the McCallie School to watch him play in an open gym session.
“When I met him (Chime), I was really impressed, he's just a solid young man, really intelligent,” stated Moore. “It was our first recruiting cycle trying to build a Division I program, so we wanted to get some guys who had high ceilings. When I first saw him (Chime) play, his ability to run the floor stood out. He runs like a deer at 6'9”, he's got a 7'4” wingspan, he's got a 40 inch vertical jump. That's really all I needed to see to take a chance on a kid like that.”
Following a few more meetings with the UWG coaches and an official visit to the Carrollton campus, Chime signed to be a West Georgia Wolf.
“I thought West Georgia was a good fit for me. I wanted to play for coach Moore; he is a very good man. He also coached my trainer (Tyler Relph), and I trusted him.”
In the Wolves’ first year competing in Division I (2024-25), Chime took a redshirt season so that he could continue to develop his game before getting thrown into the mix.
Following the redshirt year, Chime worked his way into the UWG starting lineup.
“At times, early in practice in September and October last year, Kenneth dominated with his effort, his energy, and his ability to get to the ball, so we knew we had a guy that could make an impact,” said Moore.
With Chime inserted into a starting role, it did not take long for the big man to showcase his abilities. Going against No. 15 UCLA in Pauley Pavilion in game three of the season, Chime swatted away five Bruins’ shots, which was two more blocks than the entire UCLA team recorded.
His ability to alter shots and anchor the Wolves’ backcourt defense has been the defining traits of his game all season long.
In his first season competing in college, Chime has recorded the third-best block average in the ASUN (1.4bpg) while also averaging 5.4 rebounds and 4.7 points per game on 57 percent field goal shooting. His block average becomes more impressive once you realize that his 41 total blocks rank the big man tenth in UWG history for single season blocks.
“I don't really care about the record. I'm more of a team player. I don't care how many points I get or how many rebounds I get. I just want to do my job,” said Chime. “I love blocking shots. It’s all about reading the play, being patient and having good timing. It gives me so much energy when I block a shot.”
Talking about his time so far at UWG, Chime stated, “I really love West Georgia. I enjoy it here. It's a very good school, and a very beautiful environment to be at.”
Moore stated that the sky’s the limit for Chime, especially since the redshirt freshman still has three more years of eligibility left. “He's always gonna be able to defend and rebound at a high level. The challenge for Kenneth is to develop his offensive skill and that's what's gonna make him a pro. You know, the ability to play both ends of the floor and be effective on both ends of the floor. He's a good player, but he is an even better person. He is exactly what we want to have here on campus with our team. Kenneth deserves all the good stuff that he gets.”
Chime and the Wolves close out the regular season this Saturday (Feb. 28), hosting North Alabama in The Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m and Senior Day celebrations will take place prior to the start of the game. The team then heads to Jacksonville next week to compete in the ASUN Championship Tournament for the first time in program history.
