McCallie Features a Soccer Giant in 6’8 Kenneth Chime

May 6, 2024

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) McCallie has one of the top ranked soccer teams in the country this year, and they feature perhaps the tallest player in the country. 6-8 senior Kenneth Chime.
Of course Chime played basketball for McCallie, but it’s rare to see someone of his stature on the soccer field.

Said midfielder Brandon Mathurin:”Kenneth is just a freak of nature.”
No kidding. Imagine the reaction from opposing teams.
Said Chime:”Oh. They’re like how tall are you? I’m 6’8. Why you playing soccer? I don’t know. I just like to play soccer.”
Said head coach Chris Cushenbery:”My favorite for sure is when people come out and go that guy. I can’t believe this kid. I just say he’s only a freshman. And people get real stressed out, and then I’m like no, he’s a senior. He’s graduating.”
Said Mathurin:”I mean I had the same thought as you. At first I thought like hmm, I mean 6’8. It’s not what you see on a soccer field. But he has shown that he’s very capable of moving like anyone else on the field.”
Reporter:”At your height, would most people think he has got to be the keeper?”
Said Chime:”Yeah. Yeah. It’s a secret. Don’t tell anyone. I used to be a goalie too.” (laughter)
I like secrets. But it’s no secret now how good Chime has become.
Said Cushenbery:”He is the best at shielding a soccer ball that I have ever seen. He is so physically strong. The first time I kind of put my hand on his back to say good game, I thought I was touching a plastic brace or something. It was so rock solid.”
Chime features a 7-4 wingspan. Kind of comes in handy on throw-ins.
Said Cushenbery:”Kenneth is kind of like a catapult. He is just zinging that ball. You wish you could have him on both ends. I’d like to throw it to Kenneth, and then have Kenneth flick it, but we can only. We can only do one end of it. He’s such a high energy, great kid. He makes everybody around him more comfortable. Better. More excited. His presence as a person has surpassed his presence as a player, and he’s a phenomenal player.”