Blake Ahearn
 Ahearn in 2007 | |||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | May 27, 1984 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | De Smet Jesuit (Creve Coeur, Missouri) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Missouri State (2003–2007) | ||||||||||||||
| NBA draft | 2007: undrafted | ||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 2007–2015 | ||||||||||||||
| Position | Point guard | ||||||||||||||
| Number | 6, 18, 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 2015–present | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| As player: | |||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | Dakota Wizards | ||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Miami Heat | ||||||||||||||
| 2008 | San Antonio Spurs | ||||||||||||||
| 2008 | →Austin Toros | ||||||||||||||
| 2008–2009 | Dakota Wizards | ||||||||||||||
| 2009 | Estudiantes Madrid | ||||||||||||||
| 2010 | Bakersfield Jam | ||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Erie BayHawks | ||||||||||||||
| 2010 | Teramo Basket | ||||||||||||||
| 2011–2012 | Reno Bighorns | ||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Utah Jazz | ||||||||||||||
| 2012–2013 | Dongguan Leopards | ||||||||||||||
| 2013–2014 | Budivelnyk Kyiv | ||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Capitanes de Arecibo | ||||||||||||||
| 2015 | Santa Cruz Warriors | ||||||||||||||
| As coach: | |||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Clayton HS | ||||||||||||||
| 2016–2017 | De Smet Jesuit HS | ||||||||||||||
| 2017–2020 | Austin Spurs | ||||||||||||||
| 2020–2024 | Memphis Grizzlies (assistant) | ||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
As player:
As coach:
| |||||||||||||||
| Stats at NBA.com | |||||||||||||||
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Daniel Blake Ahearn (born May 27, 1984) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who was an assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Missouri State.
High school career
[edit]Ahearn attended De Smet Jesuit High School in St. Louis, Missouri.[1] 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 Vashon High School in the state championship game.[2]
College career
[edit]Ahearn played collegiately for the Missouri State Bears from 2003 to 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.[3] 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 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).[3] He came within one game each season of making the NCAA tournament but 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 33rd his senior year, which included a win over #7 in the nation Wisconsin.
Professional career
[edit]2007–08 season
[edit]NBA D-League
[edit]In the 2007–2008 season, Ahearn played with the NBA Development League'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.
NBA
[edit]On March 21, 2008, Ahearn was signed to a 10-day contract by the NBA's Miami Heat, whose roster had been depleted by injuries.[4] On March 27, Ahearn scored a team-high 15 points in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.[5]
On April 10, Ahearn was named the Rookie of the Year of the D-League and All-NBA Development League Second Team.[6]
2008–09 season
[edit]Despite posting a solid NBA preseason during which he averaged 8 points per game, Ahearn was cut by the Minnesota Timberwolves 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.[3] Ahearn was in camp with the Wizards prior to signing with the Spurs.[3] On November 30, Ahearn was assigned to the Spurs' D-League affiliate Austin Toros.[7]
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, where he was awarded MVP alongside Courtney Sims.[8]
2009–10 season
[edit]The following season Ahearn signed a contract with Estudiantes Madrid in Spain, until he moved back and played for the Bakersfield Jam and for the Erie BayHawks in the NBA Development League.
2010–11 season
[edit]On August 1, Ahearn signed a contract with the Italian team Teramo Basket but he was waived after a few games.
On December 29, he re-signed with the Erie BayHawks.
2011–12 season
[edit]Blake started the 2011–12 season participating for the United States Basketball Team in the 2011 Pan American Games. The United States won the bronze medal with a win over the Dominican Republic in the Medal Rounds. Blake was second on the team in scoring, averaging 10 points per game, including a team-high 21 points vs Brazil in round robin play.[9]
After the games, Blake signed with the Erie Bayhawks in the NBA Development League. On draft day Blake was traded to the Reno Bighorns.[10]
Blake attended training camp with the Los Angeles Clippers during the first part of the D-League season. He then returned to the Bighorns.
During the 2011–12 season Blake led the NBA-D League in scoring at 23.8 points per game[11] He was selected to play in the D-League All-Star Game and had 21 points and 8 assists during the game.[citation needed] Blake also set the NBA and NBA D-League mark of 110 consecutive free throws during his season in Reno,[12] which still stands as the second-best streak in professional Basketball, only behind John Wooden at 134.[13] Blake set the all-time career points record for the NBA Development league in 2012.[14]
On April 10, the Utah Jazz signed Blake Ahearn to a 10-day contract.[12] On April 20, he was signed for the remainder of the season.[15]
2012–13 season
[edit]In September 2012, Ahearn signed with the Indiana Pacers of the NBA.[16] On October 22, 2012, Ahearn was waived by the Indiana Pacers.[17]
In December 2012, he signed with the Dongguan Leopards of the CBA.[18]
2013–14 season
[edit]On August 12, 2013, Ahearn signed with Budivelnyk Kyiv.[19]
2014–15 season
[edit]On December 18, 2014, Ahearn signed with Capitanes de Arecibo for the 2015 BSN season.[20] However, he left the club in February 2015 after appearing in just three games.
On March 11, 2015, he was acquired by the Santa Cruz Warriors.[21] On April 26, he won the D-League championship with the Warriors.[22]
Coaching career
[edit]In 2015, Ahearn became head boys' coach at Clayton High School in Clayton, Missouri. Following a 7–17 season there he was hired to coach his alma mater, De Smet Jesuit.[23]
On August 1, 2017, Ahearn was named the head coach of the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League.[24]
On June 20, 2020, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that they had hired Ahearn as assistant coach.[25]
Career statistics
[edit]| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won an NBA championship | * | Led the league | ‡ | NBA record |
NBA
[edit]Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Miami | 12 | 0 | 14.8 | .263 | .294 | .968 | 1.6 | 1.6 | .5 | .0 | 5.8 |
| 2008–09 | San Antonio | 3 | 0 | 6.3 | .333 | .500 | 1.000 | .3 | .7 | .3 | .0 | 2.7 |
| 2011–12 | Utah | 4 | 0 | 7.5 | .286 | .222 | .000 | .5 | .3 | .0 | .0 | 2.5 |
| Career | 19 | 0 | 11.9 | .273 | .298 | .970 | 1.2 | 1.2 | .4 | .0 | 4.6 | |
Playoffs
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Utah | 3 | 0 | 2.7 | .667 | 1.000 | .000 | .0 | .7 | .0 | .0 | 1.7 |
| Career | 3 | 0 | 2.7 | .667 | 1.000 | .000 | .0 | .7 | .0 | .0 | 1.7 | |
NBA D-League
[edit]Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Dakota | 41 | 15 | 29.4 | .486 | .439 | .960* | 2.0 | 3.5 | .7 | .0 | 19.0 |
| 2008–09 | Austin | 6 | 6 | 34.3 | .444 | .531 | .914* | 2.3 | 6.0 | .8 | .0 | 18.8 |
| 2008–09 | Dakota | 41 | 41 | 38.7 | .445 | .420 | .957* | 2.4 | 5.0 | .7 | .0 | 22.7 |
| 2009–10 | Bakersfield | 17 | 10 | 32.8 | .367 | .277 | .932* | 2.1 | 4.1 | 1.2 | .1 | 14.3 |
| 2009–10 | Erie | 13 | 13 | 45.1 | .433 | .440 | .961* | 4.5 | 6.7 | 1.2 | .3 | 25.7 |
| 2010–11 | Erie | 31 | 25 | 33.7 | .406 | .354 | .962* | 2.7 | 5.8 | 1.1 | .2 | 16.9 |
| 2011–12 | Reno | 37 | 37 | 37.5 | .469 | .409 | .962* | 3.5 | 5.1 | 1.1 | .1 | 23.8 |
| 2014–15† | Santa Cruz | 9 | 0 | 21.2 | .397 | .375 | .944 | 1.9 | 2.7 | .7 | .0 | 9.6 |
| Career | 195 | 147 | 34.7 | .444 | .404 | .956‡ | 2.5 | 4.8 | .9 | .1 | 19.9 | |
Domestic leagues statistics
[edit]| Season | Team | League | GP | MPG | FG% | 3PT FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | CB Estudiantes | Liga ACB | 13 | 25.1 | .294 | .414 | .983 | 1.1 | .8 | .7 | .1 | 14.2 |
| 2010–11 | Teramo Basket | Lega A | 6 | 24.5 | .286 | .345 | 1.000 | 1.7 | 1.3 | .5 | .0 | 9.3 |
| 2012–13 | Dongguan Leopards | CBA | 17 | 28.6 | .468 | .333 | .905 | 3.1 | 3.4 | .9 | .0 | 23.0 |
| 2013–14 | BC Budivelnyk | SuperLeague | 20 | 24.8 | .449 | .383 | .853 | 1.7 | 3.2 | .7 | .2 | 11.6 |
International statistics
[edit]| Season | Team | League | GP | MPG | FG% | 3PT FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | BC Budivelnyk | Euroleague | 9 | 20.8 | .378 | .361 | .905 | 1.6 | 1.7 | .0 | .1 | 9.6 |
| EuroCup | 10 | 23.7 | .525 | .457 | .978 | 1.5 | 2.6 | .6 | .0 | 15.0 | ||
| 2014–15 | Capitanes de Arecibo | Americas League | 3 | 25.0 | .125 | .316 | .750 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | .0 | 8.7 |
Personal life
[edit]Ahearn and his wife had their first child in 2012.[26]
References
[edit]- ^ Brase, Justin (December 9, 2003). "Ahearn strives for big goals". The Standard. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ http://www.desmet.org/s/109/desmet.aspx?sid=109&gid=1&pgid=364&cid=1859&ecid=1859&crid=0&calpgid=408&calcid=4528 Alum Blake Ahearn Signs With Miami Heat [permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d Spurs Sign Blake Ahearn
- ^ Butler logs first 20-point game since return as Wiz crush hapless Heat
- ^ Pistons rally past Heat and clinch division title
- ^ Ahearn Named NBDL Rookie of the Year Archived September 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ San Antonio’s Blake Ahearn Assigned To Austin Toros Archived 2008-12-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "All-Star History: NBA D-League All-Star Game". NBA.com. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
- ^ "2011 Pan-Am Basketball: Blake Ahearn Leads USA to Victory over Brazil". October 27, 2011.
- ^ "Erie BayHawks trade Ahearn, McCullough to Reno | GoErie.com/Erie Times-News". www.goerie.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
- ^ "Utah Jazz to Sign Blake Ahearn". April 9, 2012.
- ^ a b "Jazz to Sign Blake Ahearn to a 10-Day Contract". NBA.com.
- ^ "In Memory of John Wooden". stevelaube.com. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ "Ahearn Becomes NBA Development League's All-Time Leading Scorer". NBA.com. January 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ "Jazz Signs Blake Ahearn for the Remainder of the Season". NBA.com.
- ^ Pacers Sign Three Free Agents
- ^ "Pacers Exercise Option on George, Release Three Players". NBA.com.
- ^ Blake Ahearn jugará junto con Haislip en los DongGuan Leopards de China Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine (in Spanish)
- ^ "BUDIVELNIK KIEV lands scorer Ahearn". Euroleague.net. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ Blake Ahearn signs with Capitanes de Arecibo
- ^ Santa Cruz Warriors Acquire Blake Ahearn
- ^ "Title Wave: Santa Cruz Wins NBA D-League Championship". NBA.com. April 26, 2015. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ Thornton, Larry (July 14, 2014). "Former Spartan Blake Ahearn hired as De Smet's new coach". ksdk.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ "Blake Ahearn Named Head Coach of the Austin Spurs". NBA.com. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^ "Grizzlies Add Assistant Coach". NBA.com. June 20, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
- ^ Luhm, Steve (April 11, 2012). "Oh, baby! New dad Blake Ahearn arrives to help short-handed Utah Jazz". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
