Nov. 16, 2000
LOGAN, Utah - Utah State head coach Stew Morrill announced that Mike Ahmad, a junior college transfer, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the Aggies.
Ahmad is a 6-9, 225-pound, junior-to-be from Irvine Valley (Calif.) Junior College. He averaged 13.5 points and eight rebounds per game en route to earning all-conference honorable mention honors as a freshman in 2000. His junior college coach Jerry Hernandez said that he is probably the best big man in the conference this season.
"He is one of those guys that is getting better and better as time goes on," Hernandez said. "He is getting stronger and stronger, runs well and has a good body. He has a good turn-around touch. He is very skilled for a big guy and he is just starting to grow into his body and get stronger. His best basketball is still in front of him."
His high school, Glendora, in Glendora, Calif. is considered to be one of the top programs in the state according to Hernandez.
"Potential is the best word that describes Mike Ahmad," Morrill said. "He is blessed in size and ability and he is really just beginning to mature on and off the court. If he stays focused on his goals he will be an excellent addition to our program."
Ahmad is the final signee for the Aggies this fall.
"We are excited about the talent level and character this recruiting class possesses," Morrill said. "As always time will tell about production, but with losing five seniors from this year's team (Dion Bailey, Curtis Bobb, Shawn Daniels, Dimitri Jorssen and Bernard Rock), it made it imperative that we fill some needs this recruiting period.
UTAH STATE BASKETBALL SIGNEES (As of November 16, 2000)
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Exp. Hometown
Mike Ahmad F 6-9 225 Jr. JC (Glendora HS/Irvine Valley (Calif.) JC)
Nate Harris F 6-6 205 Fr. HS Smithfield, Utah (Sky View HS)
Spencer Nelson F-G 6-7 207 So. 1L Pocatello, Idaho (Pocatello HS)
Desmond Penigar F 6-7 240 Jr. JC Upland, Calif.(Upland HS/Ventura (Calif.) JC
Ronnie Ross G 6-1 185 Jr. JC Jeanerette, La. ( (John Wood (Ill.) CC
