"The Silent Force: Grit, Grind, and the Will to Dominate"

Charlie Long

IG: @charlie_long08

Twitter: @Charlie_Long08

6’4”, 189lbs | Class of 2027

Wahama High School (WV)

Charlie’s game is built on intensity. A fierce competitor with a nose for the ball and a relentless motor, he brings an electric presence to the court, especially in the paint. His gritty, blue-collar approach to scoring, rebounding, and defending demands attention. He thrives in traffic, crashes the glass with explosive energy, and brings a crafty touch on kick-outs and second-chance buckets. Defensively, Charlie disrupts passing lanes with quick instincts and consistently impacts shots with his length and timing. There’s a versatility in his game that allows him to contribute on every possession as an all-around force whose effort never fades. He’s physical, dynamic, and fearless in traffic, a glue guy who plays with purpose and pushes his team forward through sheer will.

This past season, Charlie averaged 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds on varsity, a solid step forward after a summer where he posted 14.4 PPG and 12.1 RPG. As the only freshman to letter, he proved that effort and work ethic translate directly to opportunity. That moment lit a fire under him. Now, he’s attacking the offseason with a clear focus: becoming stronger through weight training while mastering his paint presence and sharpening the basics. His goals are set on stepping up, taking on a larger role, and helping lead a talented Wahama squad into a deep postseason run. What fuels Charlie is making a difference on the floor for his team, whether it’s ripping down boards, kicking out to open shooters, or finishing through contact.

When Charlie’s not locked in on the court or pushing himself in the gym, he’s giving back. With a 4.3 GPA and a vision set on cardiology, he’s already balancing excellence in academics and service. He’s active in his youth group, committed to volunteering at Rivers Health Hospital, and spends downtime hunting and fishing giving him a mix of discipline, peace, and purpose.

Faith plays a major role in Charlie’s life. He’s a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and makes sure that every step of his journey gives glory to God. Whether it's in the classroom, on the court, or in the hospital, Charlie walks with the belief that his purpose is bigger than basketball. He leads with humility, speaks through his actions, and carries a desire to use his gifts to impact others. His relationship with God is personal and powerful and it’s his foundation for everything.

What fuels his fire is impact, the kind that wins games, builds teams and uplifts others. And when adversity hits, Charlie doesn’t flinch. He adapts. He looks at every obstacle as a puzzle to solve. There’s a calm, strategic mind behind his hustle, rooted in one of the best lessons he’s ever learned: “Mental is to physical as 5 is to 1.” That mindset shows up in every hustle play, every smart read, every extra rep in the gym.

I assess that Charlie brings a gritty, physical presence to the floor with a high basketball IQ and a willingness to do the dirty work. His rebounding, shot-altering ability, and paint production make him a key asset in any system that values toughness and unselfish play. Coaches will love his attitude, coachability, and motor. He’s the kind of player who holds teammates accountable by example and raises the bar with every possession.

Charlie’s strengths, paint dominance, fierce rebounding, and disciplined team play, translate well to the next level. With continued development in strength and footwork, he projects as a dependable forward at the D2 level and a high-value contributor at strong academic D3 programs. His court vision, work ethic, and composure under pressure make him a player who can impact winning on both ends. Expect him to grow into a leader, expand his game, and become a cornerstone of whatever program he joins.

Charlie Long is just getting started and he’s built for the long haul. Stay tuned.