Glendale freshman Amare Witham remembers the uncertainty he felt before he played his first varsity game this year. “I was kind of questioning before I came to Glendale,” said Amare. “I didn’t really know if I would play a lot or score a lot because I didn’t know the system.”
After setting the school freshman scoring record this year, it’s safe to say he fits any system. “It feels like a dream,” Amare added.
He’s been a nightmare for opposing defenses. He recently had his first 40-point game.
But this standout freshman season almost didn’t happen for the Falcons. His parents offered to send him to Kickapoo, but his commitment to Glendale never wavered. “He wanted to come stay with his team,” said Mansa Duke, Amare’s father. “And come to Glendale and get some playing time.”
“I wanted to stay with my friends and I didn’t want to leave,” Amare said. “Just go to the school where I know the most people and know [Glendale head] coach [Brian] McTague”.
And he’s drawn the attention of several colleges who already know they want him on their team when he graduates. It’s experience that could help Amare as he explores his basketball future. “I just want him to take his time and stay focused,” said Monica Witham, Amare’s mom.
“We’re trying to give him space to forge his own decisions and forge his own path,” added Duke.
He’s having a little fun along the way. “He loves to talk smack,” said Duke. “In a friendly way.”
And hopefully set more records and accomplish all his goals too. “I want to get some Power Five, top tier colleges offering me,” Amare said. “And be nationally ranked in the top 100 on ESPN.”
And so far Amare is proving his goals are all within his reach.
