Ahayere Thriving in Starting Role

The Raiders were down by six with less than three minutes to go against a Holy Cross team that had been one step ahead of Colgate for much of the night, when Josh Ahayere ’28 took a 3-pointer.

The second-year guard out of Morinville, Alberta, connected on the shot, much to the delight of the Cotterell Court crowd. It was his third three of the game. And more importantly, it gave the Raiders the momentum they needed, sparking an 11-0 run that ended with a Colgate victory.

Ahayere finished with 15 points and seven boards. It was another strong game in what has been a breakout season for the sophomore, who earned a prominent role in training camp after vowing to be better following a rookie season where he saw limited action. 

Not only has Ahayere started every game since Nov. 30, he has made a significant impact on the court, making big shots, and earning the trust of head coach Matt Langel to play when the game is on the line. 

Ahayere said he’s pleased with his performance. One of his goals at the start of the season was to become a starter. But the progress he’s made so far is merely one rung on the ladder of basketball achievements.

Ahayere said he could be better.

“Overall, I’m playing better than last year,” Ahayere said. “That’s always a plus. But I still think I definitely need to improve on some things. There are some games where I could have done a little more.”

It was near the end of the 2024 spring semester, and Ahayere was wrapping up a year at Crestwood Prep, a postgraduate high school in Toronto that had a reputation of sending athletes to Division I colleges.

The recruiting period was nearly over, and Ahayere was still looking for a place to play at the DI level. That’s when he met former Colgate men’s basketball assistant coach Camryn Crocker, who approached him after a Crestwood game.

The Raiders were searching for a guard to fill a gap left by Braeden Smith, who transferred to Gonzaga. Ahayere was a star at Crestwood, averaging 20 points a game. Colgate coaches saw him as a good fit for their program, not just for his talent but his character and work ethic. 

He traveled down to Hamilton, N.Y., for a campus visit and was quickly sold on the idea of calling Colgate his new home. Among the things that attracted Ahayere was the Hamilton community, which resembles his hometown. Another was the success of the men’s basketball program and the four consecutive league titles under Langel.

“Having the opportunity to come to a winning program is hard to pass up,” he said. “And the academics as well.”

Ahayere had finally found a program where he could continue his basketball career. His first season, however, proved to be a difficult one.

After being the primary scorer in high school and Crestwood, Ahayere had to adjust to playing limited minutes in maroon and white, and earning everything he had achieved in his previous stops.

In addition, Ahayere played on a Colgate squad that went on to miss the postseason for the first time in five years.

“It was an up and down season for me personally,” Aheyere said. “I learned a lot about myself, about the game, about life in general. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t make it to the NCAA Tournament that year, like we did in the past. But those trials and tribulations set me up for being a better version of myself the following seasons.”

Indeed, at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Ahayere knew he had to work on certain parts of his game. His shooting needed improvement. Coaches wanted him to do a better job at pacing himself, understanding what to do with the ball and making better decisions. 

Last summer, Ahayere returned home and worked with a trainer and his former high school coach. He also practiced with his two older brothers, who both played college basketball and have become important mentors for Ahayere.

When Colgate Men’s Basketball began training camp, Ahayere arrived as a different player.

“Josh has certainly improved,” Langel said. “Like many of our players, his hard work in the gym has paid off in skill development, but he has also grown in understanding what it is to be a Colgate Basketball player and how he can best help the team.”

Ahayere continues to work on his game and wants to take the next step next year, when he’ll be counted on to play a bigger part on the court and as a leader. This season, he’s worked closely with assistant coach Kaylin Johnson to further his development.

Now, with a few weeks left in the regular season, Ahayere’s next goal is to help the Raiders return to the NCAA Tournament.

Ahayere said he’s excited about the potential of the team.

“We look great,” he said. “I have a ton of belief in this team making the tournament. This team’s chemistry and our connectivity at times is wonderful. Obviously, we still have a ton to improve on. We are nowhere near our ceiling. I am excited about the trajectory this team is on.”

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