By Richard Walker
Gaston Gazette staff
Posted Feb. 15, 2016 at 10:07 am Updated Feb 15, 2016 at 10:11 AM
BELMONT – When Ray Chen left his homeland of Taiwan for the United States in the summer of 2011, he had no idea the impact he’d leave on a pair of Gaston County Schools.
But on Wednesday, he’ll be honored as if he’s playing his final game in the county when Belmont Abbey College will celebrate Chen’s upcoming graduation from the school on “Senior Night.”
“It’s been an incredible journey,” said Chen, whose Crusaders face Lees-McRae at 7:30 p.m. in their final home game of the season. “I left my country to come and play for Gaston Day. Then I came here and it's been amazing.
“In some ways, it’s sad to talk about because I love here (at the Abbey) and the people here and the basketball program here. It means a lot to me. It’s helped make me a better leader, a better basketball player and a better person.”
After helping Gaston Day to an 18-12 record, All-Gazette honors and a N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association state semifinals finish in 2012, Chen signed to play for Belmont Abbey.
After redshirting in the 2012-13 season, Chen has been a top scorer in each of his three seasons for the Crusaders, including a career-high 16.6 points per game this season.
His best game probably came in a home loss to Erskine last January – or when he scored 25 straight points for the Abbey in the final 2:50 of the game to finish with a career-high 29 points.
He matched that 29-point effort last month in a home win over Southern Wesleyan and last week became the school’s 39th 1,000-point career scorer.
With two points in Wednesday’s game, he’ll become the 66th 400-point scorer in a single season.
“From the day he stepped on campus, he’s been one of the hardest-working kids I’ve ever been around in 19 years of coaching,” said second-year Belmont Abbey head coach Martin Unger, who spent two seasons as now-athletic director Stephen Miss’ associate head coach before being promoted. “Whether it’s a defensive drill, a free throw competition, an offensive drill, he always goes 100 percent and that work ethic really bleeds into the team.”
As a native of Miaoliq, Taiwan, Chen is eligible to be drafted and play in the seven-team Taiwanese Basketball League.
Since he’ll be graduating in sports management in May, he can forsake his final year of eligibility and return to his homeland for a professional career.
“He definitely can play overseas,” Unger said. “But he’s got to decide what’s best for him and his family and I’m going to support him 100 percent.”
Because Chen has so enjoyed his five years in Gaston County playing basketball, he says the choice is not an easy one.
“I’m focused on the court and the academics here,” Chen said. “I’m really undecided at this point. I’m going to talk to coach Unger and coach Miss at the end of the season and make a decision.”
In addition to leading the team in scoring, Chen has aided in the program’s steady improvement from last year’s 2-26 record to a 9-15 record entering Wednesday’s game.
Chen takes pride in the role he’s played in that progress and says that adds to the difficulty of his decision.
“The most fun thing has been playing with these guys and being a part of this program,” Chen said. “It’s given me a lot of confidence. I’m not a very vocal leader but they’ve pushed me and helped me be more vocal and help these younger guys. And I’ve enjoyed seeing everybody improve and get better.”
Gaston Gazette staff
Posted Feb. 15, 2016 at 10:07 am Updated Feb 15, 2016 at 10:11 AM
BELMONT – When Ray Chen left his homeland of Taiwan for the United States in the summer of 2011, he had no idea the impact he’d leave on a pair of Gaston County Schools.
But on Wednesday, he’ll be honored as if he’s playing his final game in the county when Belmont Abbey College will celebrate Chen’s upcoming graduation from the school on “Senior Night.”
“It’s been an incredible journey,” said Chen, whose Crusaders face Lees-McRae at 7:30 p.m. in their final home game of the season. “I left my country to come and play for Gaston Day. Then I came here and it's been amazing.
“In some ways, it’s sad to talk about because I love here (at the Abbey) and the people here and the basketball program here. It means a lot to me. It’s helped make me a better leader, a better basketball player and a better person.”
After helping Gaston Day to an 18-12 record, All-Gazette honors and a N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association state semifinals finish in 2012, Chen signed to play for Belmont Abbey.
After redshirting in the 2012-13 season, Chen has been a top scorer in each of his three seasons for the Crusaders, including a career-high 16.6 points per game this season.
His best game probably came in a home loss to Erskine last January – or when he scored 25 straight points for the Abbey in the final 2:50 of the game to finish with a career-high 29 points.
He matched that 29-point effort last month in a home win over Southern Wesleyan and last week became the school’s 39th 1,000-point career scorer.
With two points in Wednesday’s game, he’ll become the 66th 400-point scorer in a single season.
“From the day he stepped on campus, he’s been one of the hardest-working kids I’ve ever been around in 19 years of coaching,” said second-year Belmont Abbey head coach Martin Unger, who spent two seasons as now-athletic director Stephen Miss’ associate head coach before being promoted. “Whether it’s a defensive drill, a free throw competition, an offensive drill, he always goes 100 percent and that work ethic really bleeds into the team.”
As a native of Miaoliq, Taiwan, Chen is eligible to be drafted and play in the seven-team Taiwanese Basketball League.
Since he’ll be graduating in sports management in May, he can forsake his final year of eligibility and return to his homeland for a professional career.
“He definitely can play overseas,” Unger said. “But he’s got to decide what’s best for him and his family and I’m going to support him 100 percent.”
Because Chen has so enjoyed his five years in Gaston County playing basketball, he says the choice is not an easy one.
“I’m focused on the court and the academics here,” Chen said. “I’m really undecided at this point. I’m going to talk to coach Unger and coach Miss at the end of the season and make a decision.”
In addition to leading the team in scoring, Chen has aided in the program’s steady improvement from last year’s 2-26 record to a 9-15 record entering Wednesday’s game.
Chen takes pride in the role he’s played in that progress and says that adds to the difficulty of his decision.
“The most fun thing has been playing with these guys and being a part of this program,” Chen said. “It’s given me a lot of confidence. I’m not a very vocal leader but they’ve pushed me and helped me be more vocal and help these younger guys. And I’ve enjoyed seeing everybody improve and get better.”
