By Bill Dickens
Max Preps.com
Born in the Sudan, Angelo Chol moved to San Diego as a 7-year old after a brief stop in Egypt in 2000. He had never played basketball and had no knowledge of the sport until his American classmates recognized that he was taller than all of them.
Who would have thought that one day Chol would lead the nation in blocked shots even before he could qualify for a driver’s license.
Hit rewind.
As a 6-foot-2 sixth-grader, the common question was “Do you play basketball?”
Chol’s friends kept nudging him toward the game. Yet a stranger to basketball, Chol never stepped foot on the court until he was enrolled at Wilson Middle School in San Diego.
“I never played basketball until the seventh grade,” Chol said. “Everybody kept saying ‘because you’re so tall.’ I heard of basketball because I had seen it on YouTube and ESPN.”
Actually playing the game was a different story.
“He couldn’t even make a basket,” recalled San Diego Hoover High’s Ollie Goulston, who is now the 6-foot-9, 200-pound sophomore’s basketball coach and mentor.
An only child, Chol lives with his father Ajieny Chol in San Diego.
“In just the last year I can see the difference,” said Goulston. “But it’s not all about his size. Angelo is willing to get up at six o’clock in the morning just to work on stuff like his ball handling. It’s all about developing his game – he’s willing to do whatever it takes. He’s a special kid and a high character person.”
Although Chol enjoys dunking, he gets more satisfaction from blocking shots, recognizing it’s an instinctive part of playing defense.
“My favorite part of the game is to block the ball and come down with it and make a great outlet pass,” said Chol, who is averaging 13.9 points and 13.9 rebounds along with 11.1 blocks per game.
Chol leads the nation in blocked shots with 210 for the 16-3 Cardinals.
“It’s a reaction, really,” Chol said. “They want you to leave your feet, but the key is to not jump before they leave their feet.”
Goulston noted, “He has unbelievable timing.”
Chol is not all about blocking shots. He is unique in that he has a smooth left-handed hook shot that is definitely a plus. He has a great wingspan and is quick off his feet.
As a shooter, he’s a sure thing from 15 feet.
“I know the reason they come into the key is they hope they can foul me out,” Chol said of his opponents.
A late student to the game, Chol found the hardest part about learning basketball was a little bit surprising.
“Layups, I guess,” said Chol. “Running downcourt and laying it up. That was quite a struggle for me when I first started playing.”
A major advantage he has in his repertoire is a strong left hand. Once Chol gets inside the paint and throws up a left-handed hook shot, you can count it. There are no blocks involved.
“I think that’s an advantage, sure,” Chol said. “Since most big men are right-handed they want to attack and defend from that side.”
One of his heroes is 6-foot-9, 210-pound Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls, who averages 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
“He’s Sudanese, just like I am,” Chol said. “I see what he’s doing and I say ‘Why not? Why can’t I do that someday.’”
Chol makes no bones about it – he wants to play in the NBA. Given his skill he’s got a better than average chance.
“Whatever money I make, I want to share. I want to help people,” he said.
“You don’t find many kids like Angelo Chol around,” said Goulston. “And it’s not just because of his size and his basketball potential – we’re talking about his personality and dedication.”
“There are two basic things that Angelo brings to our team,” Goulston continued. “One, he dominates the game without scoring, and two, he makes everyone around him a little bit better. Where are you going to find a guy that leads the nation in blocks who is willing to take a charge? We have him right here in Angelo Chol.”
The University of Washington is already hovering around Chol, but Goulston says his premier pivot is not going to make an early commitment.
“One of the reasons why Angelo loves Washington so much is coach (Lorenzo) Romar has seen him play so much. You have to remember, Angelo is a refugee from a war-torn country. He’s looking for trust,” Goulston said.
