Former DeSmet High basketball standout Blake Ahearn has been shooting up a storm this season in the National Basketball Developmental League. After beginning the season playing professionally in Spain, Ahearn returned the United States, where he has spent the past two months with the Bakersfield Jam and the Eric Bayhawks of the D-League.

 In 25 games this season, Ahearn is averaging 18 points, five assists while shooting 94 percent from the free throw line.

  Since being traded to Erie earlier this month, Ahearn has really been on fire. In eight games with the Bayhawks, Ahearn is averaging 25.9 points, three rebounds and seven assists a game. He is also shooting 45 percent from 3-point territory and 95 percent from the free throw line. He has scored 38 points in two of those eight games.

  Ahearn was a four-year collegiate standout at Missouri State University, where he was one of the top free throw shooters in the history of college basketball. He was a two-time All Missouri Valley Conference First Team selection.

  After his college career, Ahearn became an instant star in the D-League with the Dakota Wizards, where he was the NBDL’s Rookie of the Year in 2007. He averaged 19 points a game as a rookie.

  Ahearn got a call up to the National Basketball Association where he spent some time with the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs.