St. Augustine junior Charles Solomon trying to make his own name in an illustrious family
St. Augustine's Charles Solomon III is thriving in his first year as a starter for the Hermits, but is still chasing family members' accomplishments
St. Augustine junior Charles Solomon trying to make his own name in an illustrious family St. Augustine's Charles Solomon III is thriving in his first year as a starter for the Hermits, but is still chasing family members' accomplishments Check out this story on courierpostonline.com: https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/sports/high-school/boys-basketball/2018/02/15/st-augustine-junior-charles-solomon-trying-make-his-own-name-illustrious-family/343423002/
Josh Friedman, @JFriedman57 Published 6:41 p.m. ET Feb. 15, 2018 | Updated 8:00 p.m. ET Feb. 15, 2018
St. Augustine's Paul Rodio became the third coach in state history to record 900 career victories Josh Friedman/Staff Photographer
Charles Solomon's family has had a lot of athletic success, but the St. Augustine junior is beginning to make his own name on the hardwood.(Photo: Josh Friedman/Staff Photographer)Buy Photo
His father signed with the New Jersey Nets and played professional basketball in Egypt.
His stepdad's son just completed his sixth season in the NFL.
His uncle broke Deptford's all-time scoring record on the hardwood.
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Charles Solomon III knows all about pressure, but that's what gets him excited.
"I love it," the St. Augustine Prep junior said.
The 16-year-old is making the most of his first season as a starter with the Hermits basketball team, averaging 15 points and six rebounds per game.
But Solomon's success pales in comparison to his family's achievements.
Solomon's dad Charles Solomon Jr. set the bar high from the outset. The 7-footer hooped it up at Howard University before getting an NBA opportunity, though a knee injury derailed those dreams.
His mom's sister's husband, Kevin Eli, netted 1,670 points for Deptford, then played football at Maryland, where he grew into a Second Team All-ACC selection.
Solomon garnered another role model when his mom Tamika met Gerald Hodges Sr., whose son Gerald Hodges Jr. starred on the gridiron at Paulsboro and Penn State, was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft and is currently a member of the New Orleans Saints.
"That pushes me to be better," said Solomon, of Woodstown. "It's competitive. My uncle (Eli) … ever since I was younger, before I got into high school … I'd always tell him I'm gonna break his records. And even though I said that, he'd show me a bowl championship ring. He said until you get one of those, you can't say anything. … It's never really jealous, I'm really happy to see them do well, and I hope they're really happy to see me do well, but I'm chasing them."
He doesn't take the race lightly.
Solomon played varsity his freshman and sophomore seasons, but didn't have a prominent role with the Prep.
To make matters worse, his closest friends Rynell Lawrence (Millville) and Marcellus Ross (St. Joseph) were quickly establishing themselves as go-to options on their respective teams.
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"I was kind of upset, but then I just had to sit down, I talked to my dad and he just said you got to keep working, trust God and like the Sixers said, trust the process, and that's what I did," Solomon said. "My freshman and sophomore year I just worked my butt off to get to where I am now, and now being on the stage I'm on, I have to show people I can compete with everybody and I can play on the next level."
Solomon's effort has always stood out to his head coach.
"He's dedicated," Paul Rodio said. "When he's done practicing he'll work out with somebody else, or he'll do some other thing, he's not like he's just going to do three of four minutes of basketball. This kid's playing a long period of time. His dedication and his drive is really what makes him, because if you really break him down, he's undersized (as a center). He's playing in a position where he's 6-5ish, 6-6, playing against 6-7, 6-8s, 6-9s. He played Martin Luther King a couple weeks ago in Philly, they had a 6-10 kid. In California we played a team from Nevada who had a 6-10 kid, and he held his own and played with those kids, and I think it's his drive and determination and work ethic that has enabled him to be that way."
St. Augustine forward Charles Solomon (23) drives to the basket against Millville during a game last season. (Photo: Justin Odendhal/Staff Photograph)
His dad has too.
Solomon Jr.'s sizeable height advantage was always a challenge for his son.
"He's so big," Solomon laughed. "I like going to the basket and finishing at the rim, but I had to shoot to beat him."
Solomon finally got over the hump last summer at LA Fitness in Washington Township. He also beat Eli for the first time that offseason too.
Both gave him the age excuse, Solomon said, but that was just talk.
"They're proud of me and I think they're really happy to see me develop into a better basketball player and better athlete," Solomon said.
There's still a long way to go though.
Rodio wants Solomon to improve his ball handling and free-throw shooting. His role will grow even more next year, and he needs to add layers to his game.
"The more versatility you have, the harder you are to play," Rodio said.
Solomon's not backing down from the challenge. He never has.
"My stepdad, before he came into the picture I would say I was good in middle school," Solomon recalled, "but then he told me straight to my face that you're not good. So since then I thought I got to work until someone tells me your good."
His father has started doing just that.
"My dad says I'm better than him, that's tough to believe," Solomon said. "My dad was big. My dad was 7-foot, so his frame and his ability and his athleticism got him into school, but my dad says I'm a little more skilled than him. I don't know if he's saying that to make me feel good or does he really mean it because he was a professional player, but to hear that, that I'm better than him at this time is pretty cool."
That's not enough though.
Solomon's bucket list is lofty, but he believes it's those achievements that will finally help him make his own name.
"One-thousand points, another state championship and then a Division-I (scholarship)," Solomon said of his remaining high-school goals. "I think at that point everyone would be like Charles isn't little Charles anymore. He's becoming a player."
Josh Friedman; @JFriedman57; (856) 486-2431; jfriedman2@gannettnj.com
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