MONARCH BASKETBALL SIGNS THREE FOR 2015-16
NORFOLK, VA-- Old Dominion University head men’s basketball coach Jeff Jones announced the signing of three recruits to national letters-of- intent. Joining the ODU basketball family in 2015-16 will be 6-1 point guard Ahmad Caver (Atlanta, GA.) from St. John’s Military Academy, 6-7 forward Aaron Carver (Elizabeth City, NC.) from South Kent Prep and 7-1 center Payton Pervier (Snohomish, WA.) from Dodge City Junior College.
“We are extremely excited with the addition of these three young men to the Monarchs Basketball family,” said Jones. “They each bring different qualities to our program, but they share a burning desire to improve and are all high character people. In Pervier, we get a big inside presence. Carver’s best basketball is ahead of him and Caver has a great feel for the game and an extremely high basketball IQ.”
Caver is a 6-1, 180-pounder from the Atlanta, GA area. He is currently at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, WI. where his is averaging 23.5 points, and 4.5 assists through four games. Last weekend, he scored 25, 28, and 24 points in three games, against Midwest Prep Elite, Faith Baptist and Don Bosco Prep, respectively.
“Ahmad is a quality young man who has so much love and passion for the game,” said Northwestern Military Academy head coach, Brian Richert. “He will do whatever it takes and sacrifice for the betterment of the team. Ahmad knows the game and has the proper basketball IQ to make the right decisions during a game.
Aaron Carver is the son of former Monarch basketball standout and Hall of Famer Anthony “AC” Carver , the school’s fifth all-time scorer with 1,958 career points and 755 career rebounds from 1986-90. The 6-7, 215-pound Carver averaged 15.1 points and 13.6 rebounds per game for Northeastern High School in Elizabeth City last year, leading them to the third round of the North Carolina State Championships. He also played on the2013 Division II AAU National Champion North Carolina Blazers. Carver was named 2A All-State, and North Carolina District 1 Player of the Year. He is currently enrolled at South Kent Prep in Connecticut.
“Aaron is one of the most mature and responsible players I have had in a long time,” said Kelvin Jefferson, head coach at South Kent. “He is the first player at practice and last to leave. He wants to get better. Right now he is transitioning from power forward to wing. Aaron is very strong, very athletic and exciting player to watch. As he continues to improve his jump shot and perimeter game, the sky’s the limit for him.”
“Aaron is an outstanding individual, and leader. He served as team captain last year and is great role model for others,” said head coach Ronald Nixon of Northeastern. “He finished in the top ten of his class at Northeastern, was a member of the National Honor Society and the type of kid you want in your program who comes from a loving family. He is a true student athlete.”
The 7-1, 260-pound Pervier is averaging 11.2 points and 9.4 rebounds currently per game for Dodge City Community College in Kansas. Recently, he scored 12 points with 14 rebounds and blocked five shots against Fair Community College in Missouri. Last year, he led the Northwest Athletic Conference in rebounding at 16.5 per game for Edmonds Community College.
“Payton is a true 7-1, 260-pound old school big man,” said Dodge City head coach Kyle Campbell. “ He will be a good fit for ODU. He is very skilled, moves well and shoots the hook. He will give ODU a solid presence inside.”
The Monarchs open regular season play Saturday night against UNC Wilmington at 7 p.m. in the Ted Constant Convocation Center.