By Kyle LoJacono
CJ McGill left his first practice with the Wharton boys basketball team four years ago, went home and cried.
The momentary scorn from Tommy Tonelli was more than the freshman could stand, but the Wildcats’ coach saw something special with the young point guard.
“You could tell right away he was a special player, special kid,” Tonelli said. “Tremendously talented. I expected great things from him with his talent, ability and attitude.”
What struck McGill the most was the infraction in that first practice wasn’t anything major.
“It was just about the way I was running, but it showed me that even the little things are very important,” McGill said. “Ever since then I knew I had to have a tough mind and a tough will to win.”
And Wharton did a lot of winning with McGill.
The Wildcats amassed a 76-11 record with the 5-foot-8 point guard in the lineup, along with claiming three district championships.
“That was the one thing that I said when any coaches called about him — he’s a winner,” Tonelli said.
The University of Mobile, an NAIA program, listened and offered McGill a scholarship. McGill signed with the Rams April 22.
“I felt it this morning,” said McGill, who will study business management. “I was thinking that I’m really going to sign, and I couldn’t believe it.
“I wanted to play in college, but the biggest thing was I didn’t want my parents (Charles and Dayna) to have to pay for me to go to college,” McGill added. “Getting a free ride to play basketball is just a blessing.”
McGill started playing basketball in fifth grade. He met Wharton teammate Sir Patrick Reynolds, and the duo helped start an AAU team.
McGill also played football growing up as a running back.
“It was a decision that I had to make in ninth grade, football or basketball,” McGill said. “Picked basketball, and the rest is history.”
McGill started every game for Wharton as a freshman, but tore the ACL in his right knee during a 3-on-3 showcase event that summer. The injury robbed him of his entire sophomore season.
“When it happened I thought I wasn’t ever going to heal,” McGill said. “I thought there was no hope, no chance of me playing again, but coach had a talk with me about staying focused for my junior and senior years. … It really humbled me. It taught me a lot, mainly about hard work. Nothing comes easy.”
McGill returned and started every game as a junior and senior. He ends his career as the fourth leading scorer in program history (1,036 points).
“He started every game he was able,” Tonelli said. “Missed his whole sophomore year with the injury, and he would have been our all-time leading scorer if it hadn’t been for his injury and could have made a run at most wins in a career too.”
Reynolds added, “He was the leader of the team. He kept everything together on offense and on defense. Everyone followed his lead, and he’s just a really good person.”
McGill had a breakout season as a senior when he averaged a team-high 17.4 points and 5.8 assists for the 25-5 Wildcats. He was named The Laker/Lutz News Offensive Player of the Year for his work on the court.
Wharton also had one of the most successful seasons in the program’s 16-year history, winning its first regional championship before the Wildcats fell in the Class 8A final four.
McGill thanked his parents, his brother Ahkil and his teammates for supporting him. He said he will always remember his time wearing Wildcats blue.
“It’s been a blast,” McGill said. “I’m never going to forget it. My teammates have been great, and it’s been indescribable how much fun and togetherness we had.”
He also gave special thanks to Tonelli, that same coach who made him cry four seasons ago.
“I love him,” McGill said. “I just love him as a coach, as a person and just all around. He’s helped me so much with my game, as a person, as a young man. I’m grateful for everything he’s done for me.”
Tonelli said he won’t forget McGill’s skill, but other memories stand out more than what his point guard did on the court.
“He’s just a great kid first and foremost,” Tonelli said. “He’s an outstanding player on the court, but he’s been an unbelievable kid off the court. That’s what I’ll always remember about him more than anything — what a great young man he is.”
—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker
