An international championship, a gold medal, a Little League World Series appearance, a mentorship with a Yankees player, and a chess championship are just a few of the accolades that a young Russell McGee has accomplished so far in his baseball career, both on and off the field.
At just 12 years old, the young athlete has already begun to set goals for himself that only a few can truly imagine reaching. And like many other well-established athletes who have found their way through Cary, North Carolina, his journey began with the USA Baseball pipeline.
For McGee’s grandfather, Ron Marchand, simply reflecting on his grandson’s journey is enough to bring him to tears.
“It actually brings tears to my eyes, just seeing him at two and three years old to where he is right now,” Marchand said, his voice catching. “Everything that he’s accomplished so far has been absolutely outstanding for us. It’s been special.”
Marchand describes Russell as a player who not only works hard but also carries himself with humility, something that means just as much as the trophies and medals.
“We try to be humble about everything. We don’t showcase people; we just like to go out there, do our thing, and teach Russ how to progress in his life,” Marchand said. “He’s responded very well to us and to his coaches, and it’s been a real treat to watch.”
For the family, watching McGee grow into the young man and player he is today feels like living a dream alongside him.
“As we teach kids, we don’t always know what they’re going to soak in. But then you see them on the field, or being interviewed, and realize they are listening,” Marchand said. “That’s a great reward. You see him acting with respect, playing the right way, handling himself, and you think, ‘Wow, he really is becoming the young man we always hoped for.’”
Every young baseball player grows up watching the Little League World Series on TV. For McGee, stepping onto those fields in Williamsport was more than just a game; it was the realization of a childhood dream.
“It kind of clicked as a team,” McGee recalled. “We ended up making it to Williamsport, where we won our first two games and dropped the next two. But it was a great experience overall.”
For a 12-year-old, the pressure could have been overwhelming.
Thousands of fans packed the stands, cameras zoomed in from every angle, and the bright lights of national attention left little room to hide. It was the kind of stage that could rattle even seasoned athletes.
Yet McGee stood tall. He blocked out the noise, trusted his preparation, and carried himself with a calmness that seemed almost unshakable.
“I never feel too much pressure, because I just don’t really care about the crowd. I just play my game. At the end of the day, it’s just baseball.”
That calm, unshakable mentality is something his family marvels at.
“The Little League World Series gets you in front of a lot of people,” Marchand said. “But Russ never looked scared. It was a good steppingstone for him, preparing him for what came next: USA Baseball. And now we just dream of seeing him in the [Men’s] College World Series one day, and maybe, hopefully, the MLB World Series after that.”
For McGee, the experience wasn’t just about shining under the lights. It was about embracing the lessons the game teaches best: humility, resilience, and the ability to bounce back.
“We played Montana and didn’t think anything of it, but they came out and beat us,” McGee admitted. “The next time, we knew we had to take them seriously, and we beat them by 15.”
This game served as more than just a game; it was a lesson in never underestimating an opponent and in learning to carry yourself with respect regardless of the outcome. Something that he was able to take with him when playing for Team USA this summer.
Representing USA Baseball’s 12U National Team and winning gold at a World Cup was a moment McGee will never forget. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with teammates from around the country, wearing “U-S-A” across his chest, and facing international opponents gave him a taste of what it means to compete at the highest level.
“It was bases loaded with no outs, and our pitcher shut it down,” McGee said of one pivotal game. “Then we got a few hits and a grand slam to seal it. That was the turning point for us.”
The highlight came against Chinese Taipei, in front of a roaring crowd of thousands. “We were losing 5-1, making mistakes we normally don’t make. Then we had a five-minute break, and Coach Wes [Brooks] talked to us. We came out, shut them down on defense, and scored four runs to tie it. I hit a double to tie the game, and then we walked it off in the next inning. The energy was crazy.”
Marchand’s pride swelled just recalling the moment.
“Going to Taiwan and being part of that whole experience was second to none,” he said. “It’s incredible to think about everything he’s already accomplished, and we just keep looking forward to the bigger goals.”
McGee’s journey has also been shaped by the people he’s met along the way. One of the most surprising was a budding mentorship with New York Yankees star Jazz Chisholm Jr.
On a bus ride, the two struck up a conversation that turned into something much more. “He gave me his number, and we started texting. We’ve even played video games together, and I went to F1 in Vegas with him,” McGee said. “He tells me things that most 12-year-olds don’t get taught. It’s been huge for me.”
Chisholm even gifted McGee a chain, something Russell still treasures.
“It was pretty heavy, but it was special,” he said with a grin.
For his family, moments like that are almost surreal.
“When you think about where Russ started, he was just a kid swinging a bat in the backyard, and then seeing him sitting next to a Major League player, it makes you stop and think,” Marchand said. “He has opportunities that most kids can only dream about. And he’s handling it all with grace.”
McGee’s goals are already clear: earn a spot at USA Baseball’s 13U/14U Athlete Development Program, then on the 15U National Team, continuing to advance through the pipeline. “I want to make it year by year,” he said. “It’s about working every day, getting better.”
(Editor's Note: McGee was selected for the 2026 13U/14U Athlete Development Program in September since the interview was conducted)
For his grandfather, the future is bright because of who McGee is becoming, not just what he’s achieving.
“Our goal is not to look back; we look forward and keep working harder. What he’s accomplished so far is what a lot of kids want. Now it’s about pushing toward the bigger picture. And for Russ, that’s one day being an MLB player.”
Whether it’s ping pong battles against Japan, ice cream in Williamsport, walk-off wins with USA Baseball, or guidance from a Major League star, Russell McGee’s story is already filled with unforgettable chapters.
And with his family behind him, watching, guiding, and cheering with tears in their eyes, this is only the beginning.
