Ricks takes place alongside Austin royalty
· Yahoo Sports
Mar. 28—The history of Austin boys basketball is filled with a long list of talented players.
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In total, 21 different Black Bears have been named Decatur Daily Player of the Year. Those names include greats such as Rod Bass, Okechi Egbe, Juwan Garth, Detrick Mostella and Javan Johnson.
Now Austin gets to add No. 22.
Caiden Ricks has been selected as the 2025 Class 5A-7A Boys Player of the Year after averaging a double-double this season, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds per game. He also had 48 blocks.
"I remember when he was in the eighth grade he could barely walk and dribble at the same time, and now he's Decatur Daily Player of the Year," Austin head coach Desmond Phillips said. "I think that's a testament to all the hard work he's put in and the growth he's had as a player. Now he gets to have his name up there with all the other greats that have come through Austin."
While Ricks finished with great numbers, to him it wasn't enough.
"I think I averaged 19 and 10, which is pretty good, but I felt like I could've done better," Ricks said. "I'm just out there hooping, trying to push myself to be better."
Phillips said it's that mentality that makes Ricks so special.
"He would have a game where he had 25 points and 15 rebounds and all he could think about was a basket or a rebound he missed," Phillips said. "Having that kind of mentality is what you want in your players. He was always pushing himself to be better and it made the team better."
Speaking of mentality, Ricks acknowledged just how many talented players have won the black and orange through the years but didn't shy away from where he think he ranks among Austin's all-time greats.
"We were looking at ChatGPT the other day ranking best Austin players and it had me between 10 and 20," Ricks said. "I was mad because I feel like I'm the best player that's ever played here."
Ricks has seen players like Javan Johnson play and played alongside another former Player of the Year in Jordan Johnson. However, he said he still believes he could come out on top.
"One-one-one I think I could take any of them," Ricks said.
Phillips has no plans to argue the point.
"It takes a special kind of player to have a competitive edge like that. If that's what be believes, then I'm not going to disagree with him," Phillips said.
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