Ahmad Starks Transfers

Описание: The Fighting Illini played their first game of the season on Thursday . The fans were supporting, cheerleaders cheering and all of the team was suited up except for one Fighting Illini, supporting from the sidelines.

Meet Ahmad Starks, the newest addition to the team, who decided to transfer back to his home state to be closer to his grandmother.

"She's been there since day one doing everything for me, so I just want to show my respects. "

Last year, Ahmad's grandmother was diagnosed with advanced dementia, sparking his interest to transfer. His application for eligibility was denied earlier this month, but being closer to home is worth sitting on the sidelines to him and his family.

"They love that I'm back home regardless that I can't play this year, more family time for my grandmother is what the doctors recommend is what's the best thing for her, I want to be around her so she can see me, recognize me more so I'm not just another face when I see her. "

Standing only 5'9, 170 pounds, Ahmad may be one of the smallest on the tram, but he packs a powerful punch. Ahmad ended his season in Oregon scoring 10 points per game on average and 3 rebounds. Ahmad only hopes to improve these statistics on wit him time off.

"The main role for himself is to get better, to get stronger and to work on some of the things he needs to work on throughout the year cause he'll have a whole year to sit out. "

Ahmad knows he'll still be playing basketball in the future, despite this set back.

"Theres no telling where this basketball can take you, you know after I have one more year of eligibility, and I can be hopefully the first option is to play in the NBA, if not you can be anywhere in this country playing basketball."

Although Ahmad isn't eligible to compete with the team until next season, he still plans to be a big asset for the Illinois making himself and his teammates better.

For U1 7 Newsbreak, I'm Jasmine Wright.