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Esa Ahmad can be a star for WVU basketball team

By Matthew Peaslee

Feb 2, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Esa Ahmad (23) finished off a dunk against the Iowa State Cyclones at James H. Hilton Coliseum. West Virginia Mountaineers beat the Iowa State Cyclones 81-76. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Esa Ahmad (23) finished off a dunk against the Iowa State Cyclones at James H. Hilton Coliseum. West Virginia Mountaineers beat the Iowa State Cyclones 81-76. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /
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It has taken him a bit to get in the groove, but West Virginia’s Esa Ahmad has finally started to accelerate his development for the Mountaineers.

Ahmad came to WVU as one of the most sought-after prep recruits out of Ohio. Playing in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights, Ahmad also had offers from Wisconsin, Maryland, Oregon and even his home state Ohio State Buckeyes.

But Ahmad chose the Mountaineers, and head coach Bob Huggins. He seemed to fit the Mountaineers’ system to a T and that’s why he earned a starting position right away.

"“It’s been a big adjustment from high school,” Ahmad said in a video interview, back on Oct. 9. “Adjusting to the practices, adjusting to the classes…I think I’m managing it.”"

However, Ahmad’s play at the beginning of his WVU tenure wasn’t exactly in line with what he was doing in high school.

Yeah, it’s a much higher step up from high school to Division I college sports, but Ahmad seemed primed for the position.

A month ago, we talked about how Ahmad was improving within Big 12 play. On the cusp of a Big 12 championship, Ahmad could ld be the key piece the Mountaineers need to leap past Kansas and Oklahoma to secure the conference crown.

In the most recent lopsided win against TCU, Ahmad scored 14 points, which was the most out of any WVU starter. It was also Ahmad’s season high in points.

He was 6 for 6 from the charity stripe and grabbed five of the team’s 50 rebounds.

It’s a modest start in the stretch run of the season, but according to Mike Casazza of the Charleston Gazette-Mail, there’s another player on the Mountaineers’ roster who can relate to what Ahmad has gone through this season.

"“I came in as a freshman and started and was forced to do more when I was a freshman — more was put on my plate than I could eat,” Williams said. “You’ve just got to eat it up. If you want to progress and keep climbing and become a better player, there’s some stuff you’ve just got to eat up.”"

If Ahmad continues to “eat” the way he has started to recently, the Mountaineers will have their seat at the dinner table, too.

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