Basketball and religion may seem like 2 very different things but Eric Channing has been able to succeed quite well at both. On the court at New Mexico State he became the all-time leading scorer in school history, played pro basketball in Europe, and was selected to the Aggies’ All-Century Team in 2007. He was pretty good off the court as well, being named an Academic All-American for 3 straight years from 2000-2002. After retiring from basketball he decided to try a different career path, getting a masters’ degree in biblical communication and becoming Pastor of Congregational Care & Family Ministries at College Church. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Eric about being a great scorer and a great pastor.
You grew up in Illinois: what made you choose New Mexico State? I chose New Mexico State for the opportunity to play Division 1 basketball (a dream of mine) and the chance to play for a Hall of Fame coach who believed in me. Also, practically speaking, it was the only full scholarship I was offered. I received solid offers to play at Princeton (a top 25 team at the time) or Wheaton College (a Division III school in my hometown), but playing for a coach like Lou Henson set NMSU apart.
What made Henson such a great coach, and what was the most important thing that you ever learned from him? Coach Henson was a tireless worker who always strived to improve his craft. He never stopped improving. Early in my career I remember being in his office and on his desk was a packet from an NBA team. It was filled with plays and he was trying to figure out how to improve our offense. At this point in his career (he had nearly 700 wins), many coaches would have been coasting or resting on their laurels…but not Coach Henson. The most important thing I learned from Coach Henson was his overall example of the hard work/sacrifice needed to be successful. I also learned from him that one’s character is more important than one’s competence.
As a freshman you won 3 games in 3 days to win the 1999 Big West tourney, then scored 15 PTS in an NCAA tourney loss to Kentucky: what was it like to face the defending champs featuring a roster of 5 future NBA players (Scott Padgett/Wayne Turner/Michael Bradley/Jamaal Magloire/Tayshaun Prince)? It was intimidating. At the same time, we were a confident group and thought that we had a chance to beat them. In fact, we were winning for a good portion of the first half and the score was tied at halftime. However, every time Kentucky would substitute players they would bring five new guys into the game. We only had a rotation of about 7 players and their strategy wore us down in the 2nd half. They went on a 21-0 run that effectively ended the game. Even in a loss, it was still an amazing experience.
In January of 2002 you scored 41 PTS in a win over North Texas: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? That North Texas game was unexpected. I was in the middle of a shooting slump and was battling multiple injuries. The previous game I had scored only 7 points. I remember a reporter asking me what was wrong and I told him that I wanted to remain thankful and honor God in both the highs and the lows of the season: that was certainly a low point. The next game we played North Texas and I could not miss. I was definitely in the zone: it was an incredible feeling. Given the poor way I had been playing I was especially grateful: a gift from God.
You were a 3-time Academic All-American from 2000-2002: how did you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? First, the Lord gave me a mind that enjoys learning and excelling in school had always been important to me. I wanted to give my best in the classroom just like I gave my best on the court. At times it was very challenging to balance basketball with schoolwork, especially during the season when we were going on road trips every other week. The key was to stay disciplined in my studies and say “no” to certain social activities so that I could get my work done. I was humbled and surprised to receive those Academic All-American honors but am very grateful.
In 2007 you were selected to New Mexico State’s All-Century Team and in 2008 you were inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame: where do those rank among the highlights of your career? Those awards were great honors but they were not highlights of my career. The highlights were the games that our team won together. I would say my greatest highlight was winning the conference championship my freshman year and going to the NCAA tournament. That was a dream come true, having grown up watching the NCAA tournament on TV.
You remain the all-time leading scorer in school history with 1862 PTS/283 3PM/45.1 3P%/85.1 FT%: what is the key to being a great scorer/shooter? It is hard for me to believe that I still hold those records and I am sure they will be broken at some point. The key to being a great scorer/shooter is threefold: God-given talent, hard work, and the right opportunity. I knew from an early age that God had given me athletic gifts: specifically, the ability to put the ball in the basket. From there, I worked night and day to improve my shooting ability. Thousands of shots over many years. I loved to practice and loved the grind. There is no shortcut to becoming a good shooter. Just ask Steph Curry: the greatest of all time! Finally, one needs to get the right opportunity. For me, that was playing for Coach Henson. He loved shooters and designed the offense in such a way that I was put in a position to be successful on a regular basis.
After graduating you played pro basketball in Europe: how does basketball in the US compare to basketball overseas? I played in Switzerland for two seasons. The European game back then was officiated slightly different than in the US. For example, as a shooter, one of my key moves was a shot-fake followed by a drive to the basket or a pull-up jumper. That same move, which I performed countless times in the US, was called travelling by the referees in Switzerland. I remember being called for something like 10-12 travelling violations in one game early in my time there! Other than that, the quality of professional basketball in Europe really varies from country to country. Switzerland was a lower level than a place like Spain or Greece…but no country is more beautiful than Switzerland.
Following your basketball career you began a career in ministry and are currently a pastor at College Church: why did you make the switch, and how do you like it so far? I had a desire to go into ministry starting in the 7th grade when I was positively influenced by my church’s youth pastor. The Lord reawakened that desire within me the summer before my junior year of college. From that point on, my desire for ministry continued to grow and my desire for basketball began to decrease. This was a key reason that I played pro basketball for just two seasons. My motivation for pursuing ministry is my relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the most important person in my life and indeed the most important person in all of human history. He has died for all my sins and shortcomings (which are many!) and has saved my soul. He has done the same for countless millions and wants to do that for all who are reading this. It is the greatest news in the world. Therefore, I have devoted my life to share this good news about Jesus and to help his followers (Christians) grow closer to Him by teaching the Bible. There is nothing else that I would want to be doing with my life.
When people look back on your career, how do you want to be remembered the most? I cannot control how people remember me…but if I could then I would want to be remembered as a player who honored God through the way I played the game and through the way I impacted others. My underlying motivation was always to please the Lord, not to win all of those awards, and I hope that was evident to all who knew me or watched me play.