Coaches - Charlotte

  • Leah Metcalf

    In 2005, she graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and African- American Studies while completing pre-medical requirements. She was named pre-season Rookie of the Year in 2001. She earned ACC All- Freshman team in 2002, 2nd team All- ACC Tournament 2003, ACC player of the week in November 2001, and senior team captain. She was also on the Dean’s List in the spring of 2005, named academic team captain, 2005 Team Leadership Award, 2005 Coach’s Award, and Academic All- ACC all four years. She helped lead her team to an ACC Championship and NCAA Elite Eight appearance as team captain in 2005.

    She has played professional basketball in Europe in Sweden, France, Luxembourg, and Poland. She earned the Guard of the Year Award in 2009, Import Player of the Year Award in 2009, Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2009, First Team, and she led the league in assists and steals during the regular season, and led the team in scoring during the regular season.

    Now she is in her fifth professional season and plays with team SBBK in Sweden. And she wants to teach YOUR kids how to achieve academic and athletic success.

  • Andrew Lovedale

    He was born in Nigeria and was the ninth of 10 children. After seven months of sweeping and cleaning one of the few basketball courts in Nigeria, he finally got his chance. When one of the older players got injured, he told Lovedale to ‘Pass the ball…If you shoot it, I’ll kill you.’ But when it came down to it, Lovedale shot and made it. After several months, he went to London to play in the English Basketball League for the Manchester Magic under former NBA player John Amaechi. So when Amaechi told Davidson College coach, Bob McKillop, that Lovedale ‘had a tremendous upside and work ethic,’ McKillop trusted him.

    He graduated from Davidson College in 2008 with a Bachelors in Political Science. He started “Kicks from ‘Cats”, which raised more than 10,000 shoes in its first year. He went back to Nigeria to donate the shoes and inspire youths to follow their dream. He had more than 800 points, 700 rebounds, and broke the record for career games played and blocked shots in a single season. He ranked 17th in the Southern Conference in scoring, tied for first in rebounding, second in blocked shots, and earned all- league honors. He is currently playing professional basketball in Europe for teams in Switzerland, France, and the United Kingdom. Now he wants to teach YOUR kids how to follow their dreams no matter what.

  • Frank Ben- Eze

    He was born in Nigeria and has 2 brothers and a sister. But came to the United States and graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia in 2008. He was one of the most highly sought after players of the class of 2008, getting offers from Pitt, UConn, Rutgers, Harvard, USF, Stanford, and Georgia Tech. He injured his ACL in the second to the last game of the season. He lettered for two seasons; and averaged 12 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocked shots per game senior year. He was named Virginia Independent Schools all- state in 2007, a McDonald’s All- American nominee, attended NBA Players Top- 100 Camp, and played for Nigeria in the 206 FIBA U17 Nationals Cup and helped the team to a Gold Medal.

    He graduated from Davidson College in May 2012 with a Bachelors in Sociology. He played all four years, but had to battle many injuries along the way including 5 knee surgeries. But he worked hard and battled through, and was part of the team that brought the Wildcats back to the NCAA for the first time since 2008. Now, he signed with an agent and is training with Ben Ebong, who hopes to help Ben-Eze be drafted by a professional team. Now he wants to teach YOUR kids to persevere through anything and continue their dream.

  • Hunter Yard

    He graduated from the University of North Carolina Charlotte, where he started a personal training program. He was the head trainer for three years, earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Fitness and Kinesiology, was a member of American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health Fitness Instructor, National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), USA Weightlifting Sports Performance, and Level 1 Sports Performance Coach (USAW).

    He specializes in speed/ agility and strength/ conditioning training. He coaches professional and young athletes on a daily basis at OrthoCarolina in Charlotte. He competed in the Spartan Race in Charlotte, which ‘is on a mission to get you active, healthy, and excited about change.’

    Now Hunter wants to teach YOUR kids what he learned from his life in training, education, and competition…‘getting up when you’re knocked down and finishing what you started.’

    OrthoCarolina – Trains Youth and Professional Athletes (Charlotte, NC)

  • Jim Cantamtessa

    He attended Siena College, where he played for Coach Paul Hewitt (now at GA Tech) and led the nation in three- point shooting in ’97. He graduated with degree in Business Finance in ’00. He played professional basketball in Europe for 8 years for Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal, and France.

    In August 2010, he joined the Greensboro College men’s basketball staff. He is the Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach. He wants to teach YOUR kids everything he has learned abroad as a player and at home as a coach.

    Current Team: Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach (Greensboro College)

  • Jobey Thomas

    He is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina who went to UNC- Charlotte and led them to 3 NCAA appearances, 2 CUSA championships, and averaged 19ppg his senior year. He was selected to the All- Conference USA first team and earned Academic All- American honors. He is UNCC’s all- time leading three- point shooter (346 3’s).

    He was invited to the LA Clippers veteran camp, but took a guaranteed contract in Europe instead. He played professional basketball in Europe for 10 years for some of Italy’s most prestigious and winningest teams. Now he wants to teach YOUR kids about things he learned in his professional basketball career.

    Current Team: Varese (Italy Lega A)

  • Josh Gross

    He graduated from UNC- Greensboro in 2005. He played in 111 games, started 42 times, score in double figures 29 times, posted 5 double- doubles, and scored 431 points.

    He has played for 3 years in the NBA Development league and overseas for Finland, England, and Japan. He won the championship of the JBL (Japan) in 2010. Now he wants to teach YOUR kids his knowledge of the different cultures he has been exposed to and show his amazing and newest dunks.

    Current Team: Aisin Seahorses (Japan)