After success in D-League, Fil-Nigerian guard ready for PBA

Maverick Ahanmisi. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Nobody wants to a mystery man on Draft Day.

Maverick Ahanmisi definitely knows how that feels.

When he applied to the PBA D-League, the former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher was a virtual unknown to the Philippine basketball scene.

But after a successful run in the developmentals capped off by a Foundation Cup title run with CafeFrance, the 22-year-old is now looking to make the long trek to Asia’s oldest pro-basketball league.

“Hopefully this coming draft, I’ll be included. I’m just looking for some opportunities,” he said.

Tracing his roots

Ahanmisi is born to a Nigerian father Okhawere and Filipino mother Marissa, who is a native of Alcala, Pangasinan.

He owes his relentless approach to the grind to his father, who did not play basketball but still shared some sports DNA to Maverick.

“He never played basketball, but he played soccer at USC. It’s his work ethic. He showed me to work hard no matter what.”

But with his Filipino roots, it was just hard not to in love to the game of basketball.

“I love this game just like every Filipino does,” Ahanmisi said.

He also added that he understands the vernacular Tagalog, but admitted “it was just hard for me to speak it.”

But there’s no harm in trying, and Maverick quipped, “Mahal ko (ang) Pilipinas (I love the Philippines.).”

Still a student of the game

Despite being one of the go-to-guys for the Egay Macaraya-coached squad, Ahanmisi admitted that he still needs to work on his game in preparation for the draft.

“I’m going to be dedicated. I’m always working on my game and I always take a deeper analysis of what I have done. I always ask myself, ‘Did I play well?’ or ‘How can I improve my game?’ no matter what,” said the 6-foot playmaker.

And that dedication has been one of Ahanmisi’s characteristics which made his teammates appreciate him more.

“Napaka-hardworking nya talaga, lalo na sa practice namin,” said Samboy de Leon. “Sobrang competitive. Ayaw niyang natatalo. Kailangan ng team yung isang Maverick, especially sa PBA. Malaking addition sya para sa mga team kasi hindi nya iniisip yung sarili nya eh.”

(He is very hardworking, especially during practices. He is very competitive. He doesn’t want to lose. A team needs a Maverick, especially in the PBA. He is a great addition to a team considering that he does not think of himself.)

“Hindi siya sumusuko. Sobrang competitive nya pero hindi nawawala yung humility. Generally, on-and-off the court, ok syang teammate. (He does not give up. He is competitive, but he’s still humble. Generally, he’s a good teammate on-and-off the court),” Michael Miranda added.

Though Ahanmisi has garnered tons of praise since joining the D-League, he doesn’t let it get to his head.

“I’m happy that I got to a team where I got to showcase my talents. I’ve been put around players who work hard and wants to win as much as I want to,” he said, which makes the conquest much more sweeter.

“There’s no more accomplishment than winning the championship. Seeing the gratification on my teammate’s faces in winning the championship, it’s big.”

Going to the next level

As fun as Ahanmisi’s D-League stint was for him, everything had to come to an end.

And as he closes one chapter in his career, he’s preparing for the next big step: getting to the PBA.

Maverick already heard of the comparisons between the two leagues, but he believes that his two conference-run with the Bakers in the D-League has prepared him well for the ground-and-pound of the PBA.

“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. But I know that the talent is going to be better,” he said.

Ahanmisi went back to the United States to better prepare himself for the draft and even worked out with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He has also accepted the double standard when it comes to Fil-foreign players.

“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.”

But personally, without any hint of arrogance, Ahanmisi knows that he can stand toe-to-toe with the country’s best amateurs.

“At the end of the day, I’m pretty confident. Whatever happens in the Draft, I just leave it to God,” he said. “Whatever comes up for me next, I’m just going to be happy with it.”

And that’s one more reason why one of this year’s mystery men won’t be that much of a mystery anymore come August 23. CFC