Looking Ahead for 2011-12: Again expected to provide perimeter scoring production in third Govs season...after injury slowed his early-season production a year ago, hoping to provide greater consistency after pair of up-and-down seasons... after strong finish to 2010-11 season, again could challenge for starting role...exceptional three-point shooter with extraordinary range...also brings solid all-round abilities and fundamentals to floor...considered adept passer...will look to better contribute on defensive end...has added bulk and strength to frame during each offseason.
As a sophomore in 2010-11: Groin issue slowed him in preseason, leaving him to play catchup during season's early stages...struggled during season's first half, averaging just 4.3 ppg while shooting 34.7 percent from three-point range...bounced back in the season's final half, averaging 5.8 ppg while tallying all five double-figure scoring contests...also shot 37.2 percent from three in final 19 contests...again was used primarily off bench...his 5.1 ppg ranked eighth best on team...tallied at least one three pointer in 24 contests...reached double-figure scoring six times, including leading team twice...got off to slow start...scored just 15 points in season's first four games....tallied five points at Purdue on 1-5 FG shooting, but did record career-best five assists...scored just 12 points over next five games in limited action before finally gaining footing against Fontbonne, scoring nine points on a trio of threepointers...it was third of 10 straight games where he connected on a three-pointer...had nine points in 10 minutes at Memphis, including a late-game 3-FG in regulation and another in overtime...only score was a three pointer in OVC home opener against Eastern Kentucky....tallied seven points against Morehead State in Govs win...made 3-5 3 FG versus Brescia for nine points before knocking down a pair of three pointers against Chattanooga in Govs' home win...came alive against Murray State, scoring game-high 15 points, connecting on 5-6 3-FGs at Murray State in APSU's road win...backed that up with 11 points in only 11 foul-plagued minutes against UT Martin...saw 10-game streak with at least one three pointer end at TSU when he was held scoreless...struggled over the next three games, connecting on just two three pointers along the way...after being held scoreless at Eastern Kentucky, recorded season's second double-figure contest with 10-point effort at Morehead State...followed that up with eight-point effort in home win against UT Martin...held to three points by Murray State before scoring 10 in road loss at Tennessee Tech...endured some late-season struggles, scoring just eight points over a four-game stretch...started at Jacksonville State and provided six off-the-bench points in next game at Fairfield...after scoreless performance against Eastern Illinois, responded with a trio of three pointers in regular-season finale against Southeast Missouri, making it sixth time in season when he tallied three or more single-game three pointers...after being held to only three points in OVC tourney opener against SEMO-a key three pointer right before halftime-was APSU's only double-figure scorer (13 points) in OVC semifinal loss to Morehead State...with TyShwan Edmondson unable to play at Boise State in CBI, gained season's second start, tossing in 11 points on 4-9 FG.
As freshman in 2009-10: Made first career start at Akron...played sparingly in the Daytona-portion of Glenn Wilkes Classic...contributed 8 points on 3-of-6 shooting against Drake to go with 3 assists and 2 blocks...played 17 minutes off bench against Freed-Hardeman, scored in double-digits, 12 points, for first time in college career...hit pair of first-half three-pointers, off the bench, against Eastern Illinois...made then season-high 3-5 3FGs to finish with 9 points against Marian (Ind.)...connected on pair of 3FGs and made 2-2 FTs for 8 points at No. 3 Kentucky...finished with 5 points against Evansville, including 2-2 FTs...made it six straight FTs with 2-2 effort at Missouri...gained first OVC start against TSU at home when Caleb Brown was late for morning shoot-round...responded with then-career bests in points (15), field goals (6), assists (4) and steals (2)...finished game 6-for-9 from floor, including a trio of three pointers...remained in starting lineup at Tennessee Tech, scoring a career-high 20 points on 8-12 FGs and matched career-high with 4 assists...scored 14 points at Jacksonville State, including a conventional 3-pt play in overtime to seal the game...posted fourth consecutive double-digit scoring game with 13 points on 4-7 shooting against Eastern Kentucky...named OVC Newcomer of the Week after hitting game-winning three pointer at home against Morehead State...finished with 14 points on 5-9 FG shooting...also had a career-high three steals...scored 15 points and matched a career high with four assists at UT Martin...scored in double digits for sixth-straight time...missed double-figures for first time since joining the starting lineup at Murray State, scoring only six points...also was his first game without a three pointer since Jan. 9 vs. same Racers...slump continued at Tennessee State, making only one three-pointer in seven attempts...finished scoreless against Jacksonville State, but dished out 3 assists...came off bench again at home against Tennessee Tech, scoring just one point...narrowly missed double-figure scoring with nine points on 3-6 shooting at EIU...hit double-digits for the first time since Feb. 4, scoring 10 points in his return to the starting lineup at SEMO.
In high school: Played guard for Derek McCord at Dyer County High School… averaged 22.8 points per game as senior, connecting on impressive 46 percent (117 made) from three-point range, despite facing 11 box-and-one defenses as senior…also averaged 6.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.0 steals per game in leading Dyer County to a 31-2 record and the Class AA semifinals, a contest Choctaws lost in double overtime…named first-team Tennessee All-State selection for second straight year and Class AA Mr. Basketball finalist…McDonald’s All-America nominee…consensus All-State selection…named to All-West Tennessee team, earning the Jackson Sun Co-Player of the Year honor…also was first-team All-District 13, earning most valuable player honors for both the regular season and post-season tournament…in addition earned all-region, being selected Region 7AA MVP…as junior, averaged 21.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.5 apg and 3.1 spg…connected on 103 three pointers in just 19 games—he had to sit out the season’s first 1 ½ months after transferring from Dyersburg High School…chosen Region 7AA MVP and a member of Class AA All-State Tournament team.
Personal: Health and human performance major...son of Tony Blake and Vanessa Ahmad...born Sept. 6, 1990...age 21.
