Stetson and Canisius are suddenly in hard pursuit of Scotland Campus’ Akrum Ahemed, a 6-foot-5 wing out of the Class of 2019. After an eye-widening post-grad season which featured multiple maximum-exposure events, Ahemed received offers from both programs last week.
It has been a late ascension of stock for Ahemed, who spent much of the year flying under the radar.
Jarringly similar to legendary New York Knicks guard John Starks, Ahemed has a natural knack for driving right and finishing extravagant in-traffic dunks with his left hand.
Starks, who elevated to national prominence in the 1990s, is widely known for his wild journey ride from multiple junior colleges and one year at Oklahoma State to NBA stardom.
Ahemed’s path wasn’t quite as complicated, albeit the New Jersey native’s rise from obscurity to proven commodity is similar. A skilled supplementary scorer at wing, the 6-foot-5 Ahemed darted his way to the starting lineup at Scotland Campus this season.
Boasting a vastly improved catch-and-stick game and crafty ambidextrous scoring, Ahemed emerged into a glue-like presence for legendary head coach Chris Chaney. He went from playing sparingly at the season’s start to becoming a central figure in Scotland’s historic 36-2 campaign in 2018-19.
Ahemed wound up knocking down arguably the most dramatic shot in the post-season–drilling a corner 3-pointer that gave Scotland a 74-71 lead on Putnam Science. It was this clutch shot which ultimately propelled the Knights to a first-ever berth in the prep national title game.
The New Jersey native, flanked by a chock full of high major talent during his stay at traditional national power Oak Hill, had gone unsung throughout the season.
This is, despite some gaudy statistics.
He scored 42 points and tore down 18 rebounds in a drubbing of Olympus (NJ), penetrating the driving lanes with gusto and Euro-stepping and shooting a smoking 7-for-10 from beyond the arc.
Ahemed scored 27 points against Harcum Community College. He dropped 23 against CBK (DE), manufacturing points in a variety of ways. He put up 13 loud points (in nine minutes) to navigate Scotland out of a rare first half offensive fetal position against Fork Union, pumping necessary life en route to a 92-86 win back in January.
“I think he gained the confidence from his everyday habits and work ethic,” said Chaney, who has amassed 765+ wins in his prep career.
“He was like a sponge. He used that knowledge to become one of the main threats on our team. Akrum is very versatile with a high IQ and will be able to help a Division-I program out from day one in all aspects.”
Ahemed provided a major spark during Scotland’s gritty 10-point win over Beckley Prep (W.V.) at the FUMA tournament, corralling rebounds, dishing out key assists and finishing hard dunks on transition leak-outs. For his efforts, Ahemed earned Great Atlantic South Player of the Month for January.
Scotland ripped eight straight victories through the month. They were able to keep the momentum rolling with a 78-54 trouncing of IMG’s national post grad team and an 88-83 win over a national heavy hitter in Mount Zion (MD).
Despite being a key figure in Scotland’s eventual no.1 national ranking, Ahemed continued to fall through on the recruiting market.
Division-I programs inquired about Ahemed since September, discovering a multi-dimensional wing capable of shooting it with consistency and possessing an adeptness around (and above) the rim.
And while visits were scheduled and Ahemed received a steady barrage of text messages, no scholarship offer was made. Mount St. Mary’s, SEMO, Marshall, and Long Island University-Brooklyn all expressed interest. The whole charade of interest and communication, without a concrete offer on the table, grew redundant.
Still, Ahemed wouldn’t let himself wallow in any frustration.
“Knowing that coaches passed up on me and knowing that they recruited someone else just made me open up my eyes and realize that not every college coach can recognize real talent, skill, and love for the game,” Ahemed explained.
“My teammates, coaches, family, and fans always told me that I will get the offers that I deserve and more. They told me to keep working and stay positive and so I did. Another major thing that boosted my confidence and helped me stay positive was when Coach (Ron) Everhart (West Virginia assistant who made several trips to Scotland Campus to recruit Clarence Nadonly and Dequarius Nicholas) told me that he liked my game and that I was a certified Division 1 player.”
Chaney sums it up to being patient and letting everything play out.
“We believe (recruiting) is a process and more importantly want our players to be ready to succeed at the next level, not just go,” explained Chaney. “And we feel if you can make it through here you will be ready for anything. And Akrum was a clear example of the process.”
Ahemed, a full qualifier who held offers from JUCO programs such as Panola (TX), refused to let his workload whittle. He spent an extra month after the season, working out with player development ace Sullivan Brown and highly-coveted prospect Clarence Nadolny.
At long last, Canisius plunked down an offer in mid-April. Just three days later, Donnie Jones and the new coaching staff at Stetson offered. Both programs have made it clear they envision an impact player out of him and not a role player.
Stetson has familiarity with Chaney, as he helped Donnie Jones (then at Marshall) invest scholarships in Hassan Whiteside and DeAndre Kane and others. Whiteside and Kane played for Chaney while at The Patterson School in North Carolina. Canisius featured one of Chaney’s former players in 2019 NBA draft prospect Isaiah Reece, the 6-foot-5 guard out of Miami. Reece averaged 12 points, six boards, and four assists at Canisius last season. Ahemed will visit the Buffalo, N.Y. campus officially tomorrow.
Ahemed learned of the opportunity at Scotland merely by luck of the coincidence. He recalls being in New York attending an arduous workout run by Bobby Gonzalez, the high-wired coach best known for leading Manhattan to a 2004 NCAA tournament berth and an eventual upset of Florida.
“Being coached by coach G was very different, I never met a coach that paid attention to every detail on the court,” Ahemed said.
“After the workout, coach G went up to my Dad and said, ‘your son is very skillful and talented but he needs to learn how to not be lazy and take criticism. If he does that he will be a great player.'”
Gonzalez considers Chaney “family,” as the two have known each other for ages.
Chaney helped Gonzalez land CJ Anderson while coaching him at Laurinburg Institute (N.C.). Anderson wound up being a key piece on that aforementioned Manhattan NCAA tournament team.
Chaney would additionally help Gonzalez get a diamond in the rough caliber recruit in sharpshooter Jeremy Hazell (The Patterson School) during Gonzalez’ time as head coach of Seton Hall. The 6-foot-7 Hazell, known for his deep 3-pointers, is the second all time leading scorer at Seton Hall and piled up 2,000+ points.
“After the workout, coach G talked to me and acknowledged how I responded positively after he yelled at me and how I worked harder after he got on me,” Ahemed said.
“He coached in the Big East. He’s had some great players so it really meant a lot to me. (Gonzalez) gave Coach Chaney a call and told him about me. He told me to stay in touch with Coach Chaney because he knew he could help me out. It has all turned out pretty well and I’m grateful for it.”
