MANILA, Philippines – Jerrick Ahanmisi, the brother of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters rookie guard Maverick, has committed to play college basketball for the Adamson Soaring Falcons, he confirmed to Rappler on Saturday, February 20.
The 18-year-old from Burbank, California recently graduated from Village Christian High School, where he reportedly averaged over 10 points and 3 assists a game at one point in the season, according to a report by the Los Angeles Daily News last March.
The report also said Ahanmisi scored 23 points and nailed 7 3-pointers in a game.
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Ahanmisi told Rappler last December that he had already practiced with 3 schools: La Salle, Ateneo, and National University.
But eventually, Ahanmisi landed in Adamson, which will now be led by new head coach Franz Pumaren.
The decision to commit to the Soaring Falcons was based on how he fits with the team’s system and other players, Ahanmisi said.
“Because I feel really comfortable there, with the coaches and the players, [and] because there are a lot of Filipino-Americans on the team, I have a sense of comfort with all of them,” Ahanmisi said in an exclusive with Rappler.
“I feel the way Coach Franz runs his system, I could flourish in that type of system.”
Pumaren, 52, is no stranger to college basketball. He coached the DLSU Green Archers from 1998 to 2009, leading them to a total record of 115-47 and 5 UAAP men’s basketball titles (6 if you count the one rescinded in 2004.) La Salle also had 3 other finals appearances under his tenure.
Pumaren, who recently said the mission for Adamson is to win a championship, complimented his new recruit’s skillset.
“Jerrick can give us additional stability with our (guard) rotation,” he told Rappler on Saturday.
“He can play the one and two positions. [He has] high basketball IQ, very competitive, is willing to learn, and can adjust his game for the best interest of the team.” – Rappler.com