WAC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Sep 6, 2023

Mar 17, 2022; Buffalo, NY, USA; New Mexico State Aggies guard Teddy Allen (0) shoots over Connecticut Huskies guard Tyrese Martin (4) in the first half during their first round game of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

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WAC Basketball Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners center Aly Ahmed Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Aly Ahmed

A 6’9 center originally from Egypt, Ahmed played high school ball in Texas before attending nearby Midland College for his freshman season. Following success there, he arrived at Cal State Bakersfield back in 2013 and was an important piece for the Roadrunners for the next three years when they were still in the WAC.

Ahmed was already putting up decent numbers in his first year, but it was his later years that really stood out. As a junior, he averaged 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds, helping the Roadrunners to 4th in league play. His final season in Bakersfield was by far the best, as he’d play a significant role in the Roadrunners finishing 2nd in the WAC and then winning the conference tournament, making the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.

Ahmed was First Team All-WAC in those final two seasons. He was among the best scorers, rebounders, and shot blockers in the WAC during his career and played a major role in that groundbreaking trip to the Big Dance. A major frontcourt weapon, Ahmed filled the stat sheet on a nightly basis and did great work for the Roadrunners, with his involvement in that 2016 team maintaining his place in the program’s history.