By JASON MORROW
Special to ZAGSBLOG
KETTERING, Ohio – After collecting 28 points and 12 rebounds in a 76-71 win over Christian Brothers (MO) at the Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational, Shaker Heights forward Esa Ahmad is receiving high praise from his head coach.
“I just think teams in the country are sleeping on this kid,” Danny Young said of his 6-foot-8 junior. “[Ahmad] is averaging really close to 30, like 29.5 and about 13, 14 rebounds. He’s done that from game one. For 15 games he’s put up 30 and 12.”
Although there may be some schools that are sleeping on Ahmad, there are still plenty of colleges that he’s in contact with.
“I’ve been talking to West Virginia, Rutgers, Dayton, Clemson, Miami, Wisconsin, Iowa. There’s more I just can’t think of,” Ahmad said.
One team talked about in particular was West Virginia, as head coach Bob Huggins was in attendance for Shaker’s win Sunday afternoon.
When asked who is recruiting him the hardest right now, Ahmad said the Mountaineers. One big thing that Huggins and the staff likes about his game is his versatility.
“They just like my versatility, they talk about playing me at the two,” Ahmad said.
Ahmad’s head coach felt the same way about what he brings to the table.
“He’s just special, he works his tail off, he’s a humble kid, and what’s so great is he’s so versatile,” Young said.
One of the latest schools to offer the Shaker Heights star was Maryland a couple of weeks ago. According to Ahmad, the interest between the two is mutual.
“[Getting the offer] was big. I like their school, I’m really interested,” Ahmad added. “I talk to coach (Dustin) Clark on the daily, he talked to me today.”
