MISSOULA – Ahmaad Rorie came to the Montana Grizzlies with a lot of hype, but the transfer from Oregon might have even surpassed expectations in his first two years in Montana. The KPAX Athlete of the Week made program history on Saturday.
Rorie scored 19 points in an overtime loss at Idaho, becoming the fastest player to 1,000 career points at UM. He’s only the third to reach the milestone in his second season.
The 6-foot-1 Tacoma native did it in only 58 games, averaging more than 17 points a night. He’s the second junior guard to join the select club this season, joining teammate Michael Oguine.
“It’s real special for us to be able to get that done in the same season,” said Rorie. “You usually don’t see that happen a lot of places. For our team success, as well, setting some records, breaking some records, I think it’s just been really special to be a part of. But our main goal is to get a championship. All of this will be forgotten if we don’t win a championship.”
“He’s an incredible scorer, for one. He’s always been able to put the ball in the basket,” said head coach Travis DeCuire. “That’s been his strength as a player for a long time. I think that’s what makes him special, though, is his versatility, his ability to do that from a point guard position.”
Rorie ranks seventh in the Big Sky Conference in scoring, but he’s also sixth in assists with 3.6 per game.
Montana only takes the court for one game this week, but it’s a big one. Montana State comes to Missoula for a rivalry doubleheader. The Lady Griz and Bobcats collide first at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Then the men tip off at 7 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena.
