The Mighty O’Ba Sports Report

By Patrick Freeman

BUFFALO, NEW YORK (www.basnnewsroom.com) So many times, the stories that we read involve tragedy and misfortune in our community with regard to our families.

This time, let us celebrate a feel-good story about the love and dedication of family to ensure the success of their child.

Athletics is a system of teamwork for a common good. This story about Ahmad
Caver shows the love of good parents in reaching a goal of excellence.

Ahmad Caver began his basketball career at the age of 8 years old; it was then that his
parents realized his journey would become something special. The son of Wilton and
Keeyahna S. Caver had what it takes to matriculate not only in athletics but more
importantly in the classroom. There are many challenges for parents today with the
demands of AAU. Just trying to make a living in a world that often times is not very
friendly to the matriculation of young people can be challenging.

 

 

In 2002, the family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where they met former NBA great Jerry Stackhouse.

Stackhouse saw the potential in young Ahmad and convinced them to enroll him at North Gwinnett County High School where scouts would often come down to recruit potential players.

After graduating from North Gwinnett High school in the Atlanta Georgia area, Ahmad Caver decided to sharpen his skills 2014-2015 and enrolled at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, WI. Ahmad averaged 23.5 points and 4.5 assists through his first four games, scored 25, 28, and 24 points in three games, against Midwest Prep Elite, Faith Baptist and Don Bosco Prep, respectively; played in the Elite 32 and the Jared Cook Classic.

Sharpening his skills is an understatement of what this young man decided to do
once he put his mind to it. The head coach at Old Dominion Jeff Jones took
notice of this young man. He enrolled at Old Dominion for the 2015-2016 season.
He quickly began establishing himself as one of the best point guard prospects in
recent years in the C-USA conference.

During his first year at Old Dominion Ahmad also established himself in the classroom achieving C-USA Commissioner Honor Roll for possessing a GPA higher than 3.0 and in the fall semester achieved Dean’s list Honors.

During his sophomore year, Ahmad continued his steady improvement, was
named All-Conference USA third team and led the team in scoring at 13.0 points
per game. He showed the true skill of a point guard by leading the team in
assists at 4.9 assists per game.

 

The true measuring stick of a point guard is his assist to turnover ratio which was +2.32 ranked third overall in the conference that year. Leading the team in steals proved that this young man was becoming a very special player for the Old Dominion Monarchs.

In 2017-18 Ahmad completed his junior year in a spectacular fashion that put
him on the radar of pro scouts everywhere. Now standing 6-2 170 lbs. , he was
awarded 2017-18: First Team All-Conference USA … All-Conference USA
Defensive Team … All-State First Team … Named Team MVP … 3.04 assists to
turnover ratio ranked 11th in the NCAA and first the conference.

His 73 steals ranked 15th in NCAA and second in the conference, while his 2.28 steals per
game average ranked 17th in the nation (second in C-USA) … Ranked 20th in
the country and second in the C-USA for averaging 37:20 minutes played per
game … His 6.2 assists per game average ranked 17th in DI and second in the
league, while his 197 assists ranked 20th nationally (second in Conference USA); ranked 11th in Conference USA for three-point field goals made per game (2.1) and 17th for points per game (14.2) ; recorded five double-doubles for the season. Caver ended the regular season first on the team for points, assists, and steals.

 

 

In closing, it is not surprising that this young man has had the success that
champions are made of along with his strong Buffalo New York roots and his
beginnings at White Rock Baptist Church; the pastor is Reverend Dr. Ivory
Daniels who has led his congregation for more than 51 years. We salute you
Ahmad Caver and all your family; continue to make us proud not only on the
basketball court but also in the classroom.

After speaking with his mother the greatest challenge has been the distance knowing that she wants to be at every game but can’t but rests assure she tuned in by way of streaming, or T.V. to see her son play.

 
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Editor’s Note: Mr. Freeman is Sports Director at WUFO 1080 AM.