Chris Michael

Rutherford County native Chris Michael not only starred on the hardwood at R-S Central, he also brought home state championship hardware in the Long Jump, as well. After a post-graduate season at Fork Union Military Academy, Michael played basketball at Clemson University for legendary coaches Bill Foster and Cliff Ellis.

During his time as a Hilltopper for R-S Central High School from 1978-81, Michael played basketball, ran Cross Country and was a member of the Track & Field team. He was a valuable piece of the historic Hilltoppers’ basketball team that won the 1980 State Championship and posted a perfect 32-0 season. During his senior season of 1981, Michael helped R-S Central to a 27-5 record, falling just short of back-to-back State Titles, losing the Championship game. During his prep basketball career, Michael was a part of three Freedom Christmas Tournament Titles, along with being selected to play in the 1981 NCHSAA East/West All-Star Game.

Michael was equally at home on the track for the Hilltoppers, winning the 1980 State Title in the Long Jump. After graduating from R-S, Michael enrolled at Fork Union Military Academy in

Virginia for a year of post-graduate studies. While there, he led the basketball team to a 23-2 record and set the school record for the Long Jump at 23.3 feet. Michael’s mark still ranks in the Top 5 in school history.

Michael enrolled at Clemson in 1982 where he played basketball alongside fellow RCSHOF member Vincent Hamilton. As a freshman, he played in 28 games for the Tigers under Coach Bill

Foster, averaging 7.5 points and nearly three rebounds per contest.

As a sophomore, Michael’s performance remained consistent, as he also averaged 7.5 points per game. In 1984 under Coach Cliff Ellis, Michael had his best season for the Tigers, averaging 8.8

points per game. Even though his performance dipped a bit as a senior, Michael still finished his Clemson career averaging 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Cliff Ellis, who is now the head coach at Coastal Carolina University, shares fond

memories of Michael. “He was one of the hardest workers I have ever coached,” Ellis said. “What a joy to coach. He brought it every single day. (I) loved coaching him. What I remember about Chris Michael was one of the first times I had ever coached against Dean Smith, North Carolina

came to Clemson. He hit a shot at the end of the game to win it for us. He could shoot the basketball, and he brought it every day. I am so proud of what Chris has been able to do and I know this is quite an honor for him.”

After graduating from Clemson, Michael opened a lawn care business before becoming a sub-contractor and working in masonry. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.