His hopes are to gain enough attention from UNC-Pembroke, in Lumberton, to earn a scholarship to the university.

“Lately I’ve just been staying in shape, going to gym, working out, lifting, staying on some pickup games and working to raise money to go to Champaign,” McCallum said. “It’s working out pretty good so far.”

His plan is to show scouts attending the week-long event what he can do and he said hopefully it will turn out well.

Born in Raleigh, McCallum grew up in the Wendell area where he learned the games of basketball and football through schools and the parks and recreation department.

The 5’ 7”, 165 pound point guard, defensive back and wide receiver (who would on occasion step in to run the ball) put together quite a list of accomplishments over the years. He began playing basketball at age five and football at age 11. He played both sports, and ran track, at Zebulon Middle School, and then played all three sports at East Wake High School, even dabbling in baseball at one point.

Those that know McCallum know he’s an athlete — coaches and former classmates alike. They know, at his size, the ability to bench 290 lbs. and still run a 4.5-second 40-yard-dash is a big deal at the high school level.

He’s rooting for his dedication to such sports, and the talent he’s acquired over the years, to pay off in a life-changing way.

“I stuck with it,” McCallum said. “Hopefully I can go play and get that college experience. No matter what, I’ve got to keep that mind set and work hard. You never know what can happen.”

Why Pembroke? He said his friends told him it’s a good school, so he visited the campus and worked out with the basketball team. He said once he realized things went well it caught his interest.

“They’re pretty good. (East Wake) Coach Stinson used to go watch them play and I know I can hang with them basketball wise,” McCallum said. “I talked to the coaches there and they said most of the players are coming back this year, but said I’m good on defense and they might have a spot for me.”

Pembroke told him to keep in touch for updates on the status of openings on the roster. For McCallum that meant sticking with the game plan — continue to work hard.

Why not football? McCallum would agree. He said he’s been thinking about it, but it depends on where he goes to school. He said if he could transfer to Pembroke he might try out for football and see where that road takes him.

But in the meantime, he’s thinking about basketball, and Wake Tech, with a fresh basketball team, is a good place for him to get a footing in the classroom and on the court.

McCallum said there will be plenty of other schools looking to recruit at the Junior Nationals, but he’s not trying to leave the state for school. He sees it as a good opportunity to get some looks from Pembroke, “maybe even somewhere better.”

“It means a lot to my family and friends, they’re all supporting me,” he said. “I’ll do anything just to get up there and try my hardest, and that’s what I’ll do. It’s a lot of pressure since you never know how I’ll do until I get there, but I do know about working hard, and hopefully I’ll look good up there. It means a lot to know I’ve got friends around Wendell and in my neighborhood. I’m going to try and prove myself to them and show them what I can do.”