Esa Ahmad to West Virginia

Esa Ahmad, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Cleveland (Ohio) Shaker Heights who was named the Cleveland Plain Dealer Player of the Year, chose West Virginia on Wednesday over Ohio State and Maryland.

“I have officially committed to the University of West Virginia! I would like to thank everyone who has recruited me!” he Tweeted.

“He chose West Virginia because of the style of play, proximity and because they have a Hall of Fame coach [Bob Huggins],” Ibby Ahmad, Esa’s father, told SNY.tv. “They have tremendous pieces in place for Esa’s arrival.”

Ahmad joins 6-1 point guard James Bolden and 6-10 center Levi Cook in West Virginia’s 2015 class.

Ranked the No. 9 power forward in the Class of 2015 by 247 Sports’ composite rankings, Ahmad led Shaker Heights in points (26.5), rebounds (11.5), assists (3.5), blocks (2) and steals (2) per game and was named Associated Press Division I Player of the Year statewide in Ohio.

Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.