PBA Draft Focus: After success in D-League, Maverick Ahanmisi ready for PBA
Maverick Ahanmisi. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
A complete unknown a year ago, Fil-American Maverick Ahanmisi burst into the basketball scene after a solid campaign in the PBA D-League.
Ahanmisi, who is born to a Nigerian father and Filipino mother but grew up in the United States, made his presence felt after stewarding CafeFrance to its first ever D-League title in the 2015 Foundation Cup.
And he believes the wear-and-tear from the developmental ranks should be a big plus for him come the 2015 Gatorade PBA Roookie Draft set for August 23.
“I’ve heard different stories. I think the D-League was a good learning curve for me. The physicality was a big change, but I don’t expect it to be that much different,” he said.
Ahanmisi, however, knows the big difference between the amateurs and the pros.
“I know that the talent is going to be better,” he said.
Aware of different standards for Fil-foreigners like him, Ahanmisi is just out to prove himself to the scouts.
“The players who have been here, they’ve got an advantage because the people already know how they play. That’s fine with me. It’s a big thing playing here,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I’m pretty confident.”
The 22-year-old is just one of the 16 Fil-foreign players trying their luck in the PBA Draft. However, Ahanmisi is already garnering a decent following that should give his draft stock a boost.
But he’s just taking everything in stride, and despite all good feedback, is still preparing for the worst.
“Whatever happens in the Draft, I just leave it to God. Whatever comes up for me next, I’m just going to be happy with it,” said Ahanmisi.
It won’t be a surprise, however, if the PBA is the next destination in Ahanmisi’s basketball journey.
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