Blake Ahearn
Encyclopedia
Blake Ahearn is an American
professional basketball
player. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri
.
in St. Louis, Missouri
. He played three years of varsity. He averaged 17.7 points per game as a junior and 18.5 as a senior. He was an All-Metro Selection his junior and senior years and an All-State selection his junior year. In his junior year he broke his hand in the divisional semifinal game. He was unable to play for the duration of his junior year. His team was state runner-up his junior year losing to Missouri powerhouse St. Louis Vashon in the state championship game.
Bears from 2003–2007. He was poised to finish his career with four straight NCAA free-throw titles but failed, and finished with an accuracy of 92.5% during his senior year. He finished his college career as a 94.6% free throw shooter, 435 for 460, all-time best percentage. He also holds a single-season record at 97.5%. He made 60 consecutive free-throws twice in his career (December 20, 2003 through February 14, 2004 and December 19, 2004 to February 26, 2005) which are school and Missouri Valley Conference records. He missed his final attempt against the San Diego State Aztecs in the NIT on March 24, 2007, his final college game. He holds the career record for career three-pointers at Missouri State with 276, and was selected the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Freshman of the Year (2004), also being a two-time all-MVC
first teamer (2006 and 2007). He came within one game each season of making the NCAA tournament and failed to reach any. His team lost in double overtime to Northern Iowa in the MVC Tournament finals his freshman year and to Creighton in the MVC finals his sophomore year. His team was rated 21st in the RPI
his junior year and a 33rd his senior year, which included a win over #7 in the nation Wisconsin
.
's Dakota Wizards
. He worked his way to the starting lineup, averaging 19 points, with a 96% free-throw percentage, shooting 49% from the field and 44% from 3-point range in 41 games.
, whose roster had been depleted by injuries. On March 27, Ahearn scored a team-high 15 points in a loss to the Detroit Pistons
.
On April 10, Ahearn was named the Rookie of the Year of the D-League and All-NBA Development League Second Team.
on October 23, 2008. After being waived by the Timberwolves he joined the Dakota Wizards. On November 16, Ahearn was signed by the San Antonio Spurs
becoming the 2008-09 season's first D-League call-up. Ahearn was in camp with the Wizards prior to signing with the Spurs. On November 30, Ahearn was assigned to the Spurs' D-League
affiliate Austin Toros
.
The Spurs waived Ahearn on December 15, 2008, and he re-joined the Dakota Wizards. He was selected to play in the D-League All-Star Game
on February 14, 2009.
, until he moved back and played for Bakersfield Jam
and for Erie BayHawks
in the NBA Development League
.
but he was waived after a few games.
On December 29, he re-signed with Erie BayHawks.
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Miami
| 12 || 0 || 14.8 || .263 || .294 || .968 || 1.6 || 1.6 || .5 || .0 || 5.8
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | San Antonio
| 3 || 0 || 6.3 || .333 || .500|| 1.000 || .3 || .7 || .3 || .0 || 2.7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 15 || 0 || 13.1 || .270 || .316 || .970 || 1.3 || 1.4 || .5 || .0 || 5.2
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
.
High school career
Ahearn attended Immacolata School in St. Louis for grade school. He then went to De Smet Jesuit High SchoolDe Smet Jesuit High School
De Smet Jesuit High School is a Jesuit Catholic, college preparatory high school Creve Coeur, Missouri in western St. Louis County. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.The school began classes in the fall of 1967...
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. He played three years of varsity. He averaged 17.7 points per game as a junior and 18.5 as a senior. He was an All-Metro Selection his junior and senior years and an All-State selection his junior year. In his junior year he broke his hand in the divisional semifinal game. He was unable to play for the duration of his junior year. His team was state runner-up his junior year losing to Missouri powerhouse St. Louis Vashon in the state championship game.
College career
Ahearn played collegiately for the Missouri StateMissouri State University
Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
Bears from 2003–2007. He was poised to finish his career with four straight NCAA free-throw titles but failed, and finished with an accuracy of 92.5% during his senior year. He finished his college career as a 94.6% free throw shooter, 435 for 460, all-time best percentage. He also holds a single-season record at 97.5%. He made 60 consecutive free-throws twice in his career (December 20, 2003 through February 14, 2004 and December 19, 2004 to February 26, 2005) which are school and Missouri Valley Conference records. He missed his final attempt against the San Diego State Aztecs in the NIT on March 24, 2007, his final college game. He holds the career record for career three-pointers at Missouri State with 276, and was selected the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Freshman of the Year (2004), also being a two-time all-MVC
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
first teamer (2006 and 2007). He came within one game each season of making the NCAA tournament and failed to reach any. His team lost in double overtime to Northern Iowa in the MVC Tournament finals his freshman year and to Creighton in the MVC finals his sophomore year. His team was rated 21st in the RPI
Ratings Percentage Index
The Rating Percentage Index, commonly known as the RPI, is a quantity used to rank sports teams based upon a team's wins and losses and its strength of schedule. It is one of the systems by which NCAA basketball and baseball teams are ranked...
his junior year and a 33rd his senior year, which included a win over #7 in the nation Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
.
NBA D-League
In the 2007–2008 season, Ahearn played with the NBA Development LeagueNBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
's Dakota Wizards
Dakota Wizards
The Dakota Wizards are an American basketball team in the NBA Development League, based in Bismarck, North Dakota. Home games are played at the Bismarck Civic Center.-Beginnings in IBA:...
. He worked his way to the starting lineup, averaging 19 points, with a 96% free-throw percentage, shooting 49% from the field and 44% from 3-point range in 41 games.
NBA
On March 21, 2008, Ahearn was signed to a 10-day contract by the NBA's Miami HeatMiami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
, whose roster had been depleted by injuries. On March 27, Ahearn scored a team-high 15 points in a loss to the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
.
On April 10, Ahearn was named the Rookie of the Year of the D-League and All-NBA Development League Second Team.
2008-2009 season
Despite posting a solid NBA preseason during which he averaged 8 points per game, Ahearn was cut by the Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
on October 23, 2008. After being waived by the Timberwolves he joined the Dakota Wizards. On November 16, Ahearn was signed by the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
becoming the 2008-09 season's first D-League call-up. Ahearn was in camp with the Wizards prior to signing with the Spurs. On November 30, Ahearn was assigned to the Spurs' D-League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
affiliate Austin Toros
Austin Toros
The Austin Toros are a NBA Development League minor league basketball team based in Cedar Park, Texas, United States.The team plays home games at Cedar Park Center.Their logo is the design of a bull and basketball with the state of Texas in the background...
.
The Spurs waived Ahearn on December 15, 2008, and he re-joined the Dakota Wizards. He was selected to play in the D-League All-Star Game
NBA Development League All-Star Game
The NBA Development League All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game held by the National Basketball Association Development League . The D-League was founded in 2001 as the National Basketball Development League . The league adopted its current name at the start of the 2005–06 season...
on February 14, 2009.
2009-2010 season
The following season Ahearn signed a contract with Estudiantes Madrid in SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, until he moved back and played for Bakersfield Jam
Bakersfield Jam
The Bakersfield Jam is an expansion franchise of the National Basketball Association Development League that began play in 2006-07. It plays its home games at the newly-built Jam Events Center in Bakersfield, California, United States, which had been built as their practice facility...
and for Erie BayHawks
Erie BayHawks
The Erie BayHawks are a 2008-09 expansion team in the NBA Development League. The team plays its home games at the Louis J. Tullio Arena in Erie, Pennsylvania.The "BayHawks" name is a reference to Presque Isle Bay, on which the city of Erie lies...
in the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
.
2010-2011 season
On August 1, Ahearn signed a contract with the Italian team Teramo BasketTeramo Basket
Teramo Basket is a professional basketball club that is based in Teramo, Italy and plays in the Italian League. For sponsorship reasons, it is also known as Bancatercas Teramo. For past club sponsorship names, see the list below.-History:...
but he was waived after a few games.
On December 29, he re-signed with Erie BayHawks.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Miami
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
| 12 || 0 || 14.8 || .263 || .294 || .968 || 1.6 || 1.6 || .5 || .0 || 5.8
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | San Antonio
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
| 3 || 0 || 6.3 || .333 || .500|| 1.000 || .3 || .7 || .3 || .0 || 2.7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 15 || 0 || 13.1 || .270 || .316 || .970 || 1.3 || 1.4 || .5 || .0 || 5.2