While Kahmal Wiley was often the best player on the court in any given basketball game, he was almost assuredly the most humble and selfless as well.
Wiley recently finished an exceptional high school prep career in March, eclipsing 1,000 points in the third quarter of his final game, as the Banks County Leopards dropped a heartbreaker at home in the 2A State Sweet 16.
“I always stay positive and remember that anything is possible” -Kahmal Wiley
“My favorite moment of my career was [hitting] 1,000 points,” exclaims Wiley, who makes the feat much more impressive as he reached the 1,000-mark plateau in just three seasons, coming to Homer as a sophomore.
An exceptional and rare talent, Wiley was named BLITZ Basketball Player of the Year after averaging over 17 points and 12 rebounds per contest, adding more than two assists, steals and blocks per game as well. He notched 23 double-doubles.
The Leopards enjoyed a third straight trip to the Sweet 16, were state ranked from wire-to-wire, and won their first Region Tournament Championship after previously winning a regular season region crown twice in the last three seasons.
Wiley knew when he came to Banks County that he’d have some success.
“I saw [that] success, and that has to do with my mentality and the coach [Mike Cleveland] I play for,” says Wiley.
While success on the court can — to some extent — be taught, humility is a trait that is either innate or takes a lifetime of practice. Kahmal Wiley personifies humbleness.
“It’s important to always be humble,” states Wiley. “If you’re humble you will never take another player or team lightly.”
Wiley was being recruited by a number of college programs and was nearing a decision on where he might continue playing when an unforeseen tragedy altered his plans momentarily.
Just weeks after the season ended, Wiley was nearly killed in a tragic car accident that led to the loss of both of his legs. Wiley being Wiley, he has shown amazing determination and courage through all the adversity through this trial of his life.
“[I] always stay positive and remember that anything is possible,” says Wiley on not giving in to defeat despite his tragic incident.
It appears that strong mentality that Wiley talked about having for success on the court translates into his personal life as well. Wiley has kept his faith and spoke of how much that same faith was key to his success in basketball as well.
“We all relied on God a lot, because he helped my team stay locked in throughout the whole season,” adds Wiley, who aside from basketball, says he loves spending time fishing.
Wiley still holds multiple college offers, but it’s not clear yet where he will decide to go. He does plan to further his education somewhere, however, and there’s no limit for him in whatever he chooses to do with his life.
On winning Now Habersham Athlete of the Year and BLITZ Basketball Player of the Year and Class of 2017 BLITZ Hall of Fame induction, Wiley, as expected, is very grateful.
“It means a lot when your talents are rewarded,” says Wiley. “Thanks goes out to my voters.
Wiley remains in care at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, and we invite all to continue to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
