Ahmad Caver (born September 12, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for Nanterre 92 of the LNB Pro A. He played college basketball for the Old Dominion Monarchs.

Ahmad Caver
Caver in 2018
No. 7 – Nanterre 92
PositionPoint guard
LeagueLNB Élite
Personal information
Born (1996-09-12) September 12, 1996 (age 28)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeOld Dominion (2015–2019)
NBA draft2019: undrafted
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2021Memphis Hustle
2021–2022Indiana Pacers
2022Memphis Hustle
2022–2023BC Wolves
2023–2024JDA Dijon
2024–presentNanterre 92
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

High school career

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Caver is the son of Wilton Caver. He attended Charles Drew High School in Atlanta, Georgia as a freshman before transferring to North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia. The move was made to become closer to his AAU coach Jerry Stackhouse, who became his legal guardian. Caver spent his first season at North Gwinnett on the junior varsity team and grew to 5'10". After graduating from North Gwinnett, he did a postgraduate year at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy, an experience he initially hated but his parents encouraged. He was lightly recruited, picking up an offer from Kent State before committing to Old Dominion.[1]

College career

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Caver was a backup to Trey Freeman as a freshman, averaging 2.7 points per game and was named to the academic honor roll.[1] Caver scored a season-high 26 points versus Marshall on January 5, 2017. As a sophomore, Caver led Old Dominion in scoring and assists with 13 points and 4.8 assists per game, to go with 3.5 rebounds per contest. He was named to the Third Team All-Conference USA and team MVP.[2] He had a career-high 30 points on December 17, 2017, in an 82–77 overtime win over Fairfield.[3] Caver averaged 14.2 points and 6.2 assists per game as a junior, leading the Monarchs to a 25–7 record and second place in conference. He was named to the First Team All-Conference USA and the league Defensive Team. Coming into his senior season, he was named to the Bob Cousy Award watchlist.[4] As a senior, Caver averaged 16.6 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. Alongside B. J. Stith, he helped lead Old Dominion to a Conference USA regular season championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.[5] Caver was named to the First Team All-Conference USA. He finished his college career ranked eighth in conference history in assists (607) and 15th in steals (187).[6]

Professional career

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Memphis Hustle (2019–2021)

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Caver signed with sports agent DeAngelo Simmons in preparation for the 2019 NBA draft but went undrafted. He signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Memphis Grizzlies on October 15, 2019.[5] On October 16, 2019, he was cut by the Memphis Grizzlies and joined the Memphis Hustle.[7] Caver contributed 23 points and four assists in a 120–112 loss to the Sioux Falls Skyforce on March 7, 2020.[8] He averaged 9.9 points, 4 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Hustle.[9]

On December 11, 2020, Caver signed with the Memphis Grizzlies.[10] He was waived at the end of training camp and returned to the Hustle. During the 2020–21 season, Caver averaged 16.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game.[11]

On October 14, 2021, Caver again signed with the Grizzlies,[12] but was waived three days later, prior to the start of the season.[13] On October 23, 2021, he re-signed with the Hustle.[14] Caver averaged 15.4 points, 7.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.[15]

Indiana Pacers (2021–2022)

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On December 31, Caver signed a 10-day contract with the Indiana Pacers via the hardship exemption.[15] He made his NBA debut on January 5, scoring 2 points in a 129–121 loss against the Brooklyn Nets.[16]

Return to the Memphis Hustle (2022)

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On January 10, 2022, Caver was reacquired and activated by the Memphis Hustle.[17] In 43 games played (41 starts), he averaged 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Caver joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2022 NBA Summer League.[18]

BC Wolves (2022–2023)

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On August 6, Caver signed with BC Wolves of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL).[19] On May 10, 2023, Caver received the LKL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award after averaging 16.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.9 steals in 31 regular season games played, leading the league in points and efficiency.[20]

On July 20, 2023, Caver signed with Hapoel Holon of the Israeli Basketball Premier League.[21] On October 28, 2023, he left the club over concerns about the security situation in Israel, without appearing in a game for Hapoel Holon.[22]

JDA Dijon (2023–2024)

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On November 1, 2023, Caver signed with JDA Dijon Basket of the LNB Pro A.[23]

Nanterre 92 (2024–present)

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On September 13, 2024, he signed with Nanterre 92 of the LNB Pro A.[24]

Career statistics

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Legend
  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
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 Indiana 1 0 1.0 1.000 .0 .0 .0 .0 2.0
Career 1 0 1.0 1.000 .0 .0 .0 .0 2.0

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Old Dominion 38 0 15.4 .310 .271 .500 1.8 1.8 .6 .3 2.7
2016–17 Old Dominion 31 29 35.3 .360 .368 .628 3.5 4.8 1.3 .2 13.0
2017–18 Old Dominion 32 29 37.2 .408 .349 .667 3.5 6.2 2.3 .2 14.2
2018–19 Old Dominion 35 35 37.6 .381 .303 .692 4.3 5.5 1.4 .3 16.6
Career 136 93 30.8 .377 .332 .652 3.2 4.5 1.4 .2 11.3

References

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  1. ^ a b Miller, Ed (February 17, 2017). "ODU guard Ahmad Caver went to great lengths to be noticed". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "ODU guard Ahmad Caver named to Preseason All-Conference USA team". WTKR. October 19, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  3. ^ "Caver scores 30 in ODU's 82-77 OT win over Fairfield". Fox Sports. Associated Press. December 17, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  4. ^ "ODU men's basketball picked third in C-USA preseason voting". Augusta Free Press. October 18, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Miller, Ed (October 15, 2019). ""I have a dream I want to accomplish." Former ODU guard Ahmad Caver signs with Memphis Grizzlies". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  6. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Ahmad Caver". NBA.com. October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  7. ^ "Ahmad Caver: Cut by Memphis". CBS Sports. October 16, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  8. ^ "Jack Scores 31 To Lead Skyforce Past Hustle". NBA.com. March 7, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  9. ^ "Ahmad Caver: Drops 23 points in loss". CBS Sports. March 9, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  10. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Ahmad Caver". NBA.com. December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  11. ^ Schmidt, Dakota (April 23, 2021). "Ahmad Caver Named Ridiculous Upside's 2021 G League Most Improved Player of the Year". Ridiculous Upside. SB Nation. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  12. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Ahmad Caver and Matthew Hurt". NBA.com. October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  13. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies sign David Stockton". NBA.com. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  14. ^ Moore, Corey (October 23, 2021). "Memphis Hustle announce 2021-22 training camp roster". NBA.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Region/state roundup: Pacers to sign former ODU guard Ahmad Caver to 10-day hardship deal, according to report". The Virginian-Pilot. December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  16. ^ James Boyd (January 10, 2022). "Pacers Ahmad Caver's first NBA points cost some bettors a lot of money". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  17. ^ "2021-22 NBA G League transactions". gleague.nba.com. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  18. ^ "Phoenix Suns 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  19. ^ Skerletic, Dario (August 6, 2022). "BC Wolves inks Ahmad Caver". Sportando. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  20. ^ "Playoff matchups confirmed as Betsafe-LKL regular season wraps up". lkl.lt. May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  21. ^ "H.Holon adds Caver to their roster". Eurobasket. July 20, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  22. ^ "Ahmad Caver leaves Hapoel Holon". Sportando. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  23. ^ "JDA Bourgogne Dijon officially signs Ahmad Caver". Sportando. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  24. ^ "Ahmad Caver, dernier renfort de l'effectif". nanterre92.com (in French). September 13, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
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