During his storied career at Shady Spring, Ammar Maxwell put together quite an impressive resume, becoming one of the most decorated players in the state.
On Thursday Maxwell signed his national letter of intent to play basketball at Glenville State University where he will play for Beckley native, and former Mountain State University (Beckley) coach Bob Bolen.
“Just a great relationship with Bob Bolen,” Maxwell said of why he signed with the Pioneers. “Me and him and my parents have a great relationship. He’s been talking to me for a long time and recruited me throughout the summer.”
As far as being decorated Maxwell has sterling credentials during a career that started as an elementary school third grader.
He was a two-tie first team all-state player, named captain after the Tigers state championship victory last month, he scored 1,370 points (averaging 21.2 this past season), tallied double figures on 70 of his 98 career games, and started 12 state tournament games, four state title games and Shady was 10-2 in Charleston with two titles in four seasons.
And maybe the most impressive thing is he never missed a game during his career.
“The first thing that comes to mind is fierce competitor,” Shady Spring coach Ronnie Olson said of Maxwell. “Nobody is going to compete and outwork Ammar on the basketball court. He’s going to outwork anybody and everybody on the glass and on the court. That’s what they are getting. They’re getting somebody you can build your program around, the type of cultured guy he is. He’s going to be a big-time four-year player. You’re going to hear a from him for a long time.”
Olson said he knew that Maxwell would have a great career when he saw him play in middle school.
“I knew pretty early he was going to be a special player,” Olson said. “You have to be special to come in and play (on a tournament) contender as a freshman. To play in four championships and be a big part of all of them is something we hoped for, but it’s pretty surreal. But I knew from Day 1 he was going to be special. I knew he was destined for greatness.”
“It was kind of nerve-racking (starting as a freshman) but I just went in there and shot the ball,” Maxwell said. “That’s all I did freshman year, got in there and shot the ball. But it did a lot to prepare me for this.”
Maxwell has always shown up and will approach the next level the same way he did four years ago entering his high school career.
“I just want to go up there and play,” Maxwell said. “I want to go up there and get some playing time Just go out there and play my game. Work on my game, get better and do the things you’re supposed to do.”
Woodrow standout Elijah Redfern came to Maxwell’s signing. The two will be teammates at Glenville, Redfern signing a couple week’s back.
Maxwell said the long-time friends, and high school rivals had talked about it, both being offered on the same day.
“We talked about it a little bit going into it but yeah, that had something to do with it,” Maxwell said. “That’s my boy, and he’s a great player. You put two great players on the same team, you know what that does.”