The Dungeon: How Keith Mclawhorn Built a Basketball Powerhouse

By Trey Scott

GREENVILLE, N.C. — Some people follow a career path. Others build their own. For Keith Mclawhorn, the architect behind "The Dungeon," the journey to becoming one of the most influential basketball trainers in North Carolina started with a passion for coaching and an unrelenting work ethic.

Born and raised in Greenville, Mclawhorn graduated from high school in 1998 before earning a basketball scholarship to play in college. But his true calling wasn’t playing the game—it was teaching it. His coaching career began as a senior project at J.H. Rose High School, where mentor Paul Hill, a former Major League Baseball player, saw his potential and encouraged him to take on coaching responsibilities.

“That’s when I fell in love with it,” Mclawhorn recalled. “I was writing up plays, running practices, and coaching the team as part of my project. That’s where it all started.”

The Birth of The Dungeon

Mclawhorn’s journey took him from coaching to training, but The Dungeon—the now-iconic gym where he’s developed elite talent—was almost an accident. After returning from Detroit in 2012, he discovered a gym in his childhood neighborhood he had never realized was there. What started as a local gym soon became the proving ground for some of the best basketball players in the state.

Two NBA players, multiple Division I athletes, and countless top-ranked prospects have come through The Dungeon. It has produced All-Americans and helped shape the future of basketball in North Carolina. But McLawhorn never relied on flashy marketing or social media hype. His reputation grew the old-school way—through results.

“I didn’t have the money to market,” he admitted. “I couldn’t afford flyers or commercials. My work spoke for itself. I trained kids young, second and third graders, and when they went out to play, people noticed. That’s how I got traction.”

Names like Brock Young, Kayla Jones, Deja Lawrence, Zamareya Jones, and Jordan Speller became synonymous with McLawhorn’s training. As they dominated high school and collegiate levels, his reputation solidified. Eventually, he found himself working with top-tier talent, including future professionals like Day’Ron Sharpe, who went on to play for the Brooklyn Nets.

The Rise of Day’Ron Sharpe

Sharpe’s journey from a hesitant fourth grader to an NBA player is one of Mclawhorn’s proudest stories. Initially, Sharpe didn’t want to train. He cried through early sessions when he was in the 4th/5th grade, frustrated by the hard work and grueling drills. But McLawhorn saw something in him. By ninth grade, he was convinced Sharpe was a future pro.

“I brought his parents in and told them, ‘You’ve got a professional basketball player here,’” Mclawhorn said. “They thought I was crazy at first, but they trusted the process.”

Sharpe’s work ethic transformed, and so did his game. He became a force at South Central High School, later transferring to Montverde Academy, one of the top prep basketball programs in the nation. Eventually, he was drafted into the NBA. Despite his success, Sharpe never forgot his roots. He even brought a Brooklyn Nets documentary crew to The Dungeon to showcase where his journey began.

For Mclawhorn, Sharpe’s return to The Dungeon meant everything.

“When he walked back into that gym and showed love to the kids coming up now, that was the most fulfilling moment of my career,” Mclawhorn said. “That’s when you know you’ve really made an impact.”

Coaching His Son While Building a Legacy

While training elite talent and running The Dungeon, McLawhorn was also raising his son, KJ. Balancing fatherhood and coaching was an enormous challenge, but it also provided KJ with a unique upbringing surrounded by basketball greatness.

“KJ wasn’t allowed to have certain things that kids have,” Mclawhorn admitted. “Vacations, amusement parks—those things were rare. Instead, he was in the gym with me, watching, learning, growing.”

There were moments when McLawhorn questioned if he had taken away his son’s childhood, but looking back, he realizes the experience shaped KJ into the player he is today.

“I use Michael Jackson as an example,” he said. “If his father hadn’t pushed him, we may have never seen the King of Pop. KJ has been exposed to top-tier athletes since he was a kid. He’s played against them, trained with them, and that’s why his skill level is where it is today.”

As KJ approaches his high school years, McLawhorn is letting him take control of his own journey, allowing him to choose his own path while still supporting him in every way.

Expanding the Dungeon and International Camps

Mclawhorn’s influence isn’t just limited to Greenville—he has held camps across the United States and internationally, including in the Caribbean and Europe. His dedication to growing the game extends beyond just elite talent; he wants to provide opportunities for kids everywhere.

“I’ve run camps in places where kids don’t even have proper basketball shoes,” he said. “Seeing their hunger and passion for the game, knowing I can give them tools to succeed, that’s what keeps me going.”

His long-term vision is to expand The Dungeon throughout Eastern North Carolina, giving more young athletes access to high-level training and mentorship.

“My goal is to see a Dungeon in Wilson, Farmville, Jacksonville, and beyond,” Mclawhorn said. “I want kids all over to have the same opportunities, the same structure, the same chance to succeed.”

Training the Next Generation of Trainers

Mclawhorn understands that his impact has to extend beyond just his own time in the gym. That’s why he has begun training new coaches and trainers, ensuring his philosophy and dedication to player development live on.

“I’m teaching young trainers everything I’ve learned over the years so The Dungeon’s impact doesn’t stop with me,” McLawhorn said. “They’ll be able to take what I’ve built and carry it forward, helping even more kids than I ever could on my own.”

National Recognition and ESPN Shoutouts

Mclawhorn’s influence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Recently, some of his former players have given him shoutouts on ESPN, acknowledging the role he played in shaping their careers.

“When I hear former players shout out 'The Dungeon' on ESPN, it just validates everything,” he said. “It’s not about fame for me, but it’s about knowing that the work I put in behind closed doors has helped these kids achieve their dreams.”

The Bigger Picture

For Mclawhorn, the gratification comes not from the financial rewards but from the impact he’s made. Seeing players transform their futures—whether by earning scholarships, making it to the pros, or simply becoming better young men and women—is his greatest reward.

“I train for the product, not for the paycheck,” he said. “Somebody helped me get where I am, and it’s my duty to do the same for the next generation.”

But for Mclawhorn, this is just the beginning.

“I’m not done yet,” he said. “There’s more to be built, more kids to help, and more work to do. The Dungeon is only getting started.”