The Chattanooga Mocs basketball team is a deep unit. It features three first team All-Southern Conference performers in Casey Jones, Tre' McLean and Justin Tuoyo. Then there is SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player Greg Pryor. So who's missing?
 
Senior power forward Chuck Ester is a master at flying under-the-radar. If you Google "unsung", you might as well see a picture of Ester. Definition is "not celebrated or praised" while synonyms include unacknowledged, uncelebrated and unacclaimed.
 
"Chuck is the guy who doesn't get the hype or publicity for what he brings our team every day," McLean shared. "He plays a big role. He's really that glue guy that makes us go. He comes in with energy and plays the right way.
 
"He impacts winning just by working hard. He's a low-key guy...funny. He's just a great teammate."
 
Ester has more than his share of big plays on his resume. He hit two triples in a series of five straight by the Mocs in the comeback win at Illinois. He made countless plays during the Southern Conference Tourney especially during the semifinal triumph over Western Carolina.
 
Coach Matt McCall concurred, "I know Greg Pryor was the MVP of the SoCon Tournament, and he deserved it. But you can make an argument we don't win the tournament without Chuck. His performance in that tournament, at crucial times, put us over the top.
 
"I'll put Chuck Ester up against any other power forward in our league especially, maybe in the country."
 
Ester was sixth on the squad averaging 7.7 points per game, fourth in rebounding (4.9) and assists (57) and third in blocks (15) and steals (35). His contribution is far beyond the stat sheet.
 
"Chuck puts the ball on the floor maybe better than any power forward I've ever coached," McCall continued. "I've been around some good ones. His ability to change directions with the ball in his hands is like a guard. He made some crucial 3s in Asheville last March. Overall, he's just a really good player.
 
"The thing that separates him is his ability on defense guarding multiple positions. He knows where to be at all times on the floor. He's just a versatile player. We're very fortunate to have him in our program." 
 
Beyond what he provides on the floor, Ester makes an impact on a personal level.
 
"I told him during his recruiting visit that we would shock the world," McLean noted. "Every time we've done something good, he's come to me and reminded me of that and said 'we're doing it'. He's my brother. He's a good dude and has a great heart. Just a funny guy who always has a smile on his face."
 
So how far under-the-radar is our man Chuck in the grand scheme of things?
 
"The people around here know he's not under any radar," McCall added. "Chuck is one of the most reliable defenders I've ever coached. He knows where to be and is always in the right spot. He impacts the game in so many different ways.
 
"He has such an impact on our team winning, and he is so versatile doing so many different things out on the floor."
 
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