Has the Name, Has the Game
Ainge’s athletic bloodlines go back two generations. His grandfather Don Ainge received a full ride to Oregon for both football and basketball. His father Doug Ainge received a full scholie to BYU for his basketball skills.
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Of course everyone knows who is uncle is. His uncle for the uninitiated is Danny Ainge. Danny Ainge was College Player of the Year in basketball when he attended BYU. He also had a very successful 14-year career in the NBA and played three full seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Ainge’s cousin, Danny’s son, Austin Ainge will have an opportunity to make an impact on the BYU basketball program as a red shirt freshman.
With bloodlines like Erik Ainge’s, success seems to be his destiny.
Ainge realistically could be a major prospect in three sports.
Besides already getting offers for football, Ainge is also getting looks for his baseball and basketball skills as well.
As a frosh, Ainge was Glencoe’s starting shortstop. That was just the beginning. By his sophomore season Ainge played every position but catcher.
Ainge gave up baseball his junior season to concentrate on making up his mind to play quarterback in football or be a two-guard in hoops on the collegiate level.
The decision will more than likely not be made until February. The conclusion could be moved up if Ainge has an overwhelming passion for one of the two chosen sports.
Ainge was a point guard growing up and that experience has served him well as a quarterback. He knows how to run the show and has a point guard’s great vision. Ainge is also very poised and has outstanding pocket awareness.
In games as junior Ainge threw for 2,559 yards and 16 touchdowns completing 177 passes out of 311, hitting 56.9% of his attempts.
Ainge has three football offers from Oregon State, Arizona and ASU. Oregon told Ainge that if their quarterback recruit (Dennis Dixon) opts for baseball that their offer would be in the mail the very next day.
The Ducks like him for his basketball skills as well. Stanford like the Ducks are recruiting him for both sports.
The schools that Ainge is very serious about for football are Oregon State, Oregon, Arizona, ASU, Stanford, and Cal.
For hoops the schools that are in the hunt are BYU, Utah, UCSB, Santa Clara, Gonzaga, Oregon and Stanford.
Does Ainge have a favorite school?
“I sometimes have a favorite school but it is really early,” Ainge said. “I’m really just keeping my options open.”
“The school has to have the academics and has to have my major,” Ainge said. “Athletically I am going to take into consideration the depth chart.”
“I wouldn’t let weather be the deciding factor but it is easier to play quarterback when the sun is out,” Ainge said. “If I chose basketball I’m going to choose a school where I fit in best and with a chance to play, regardless of the size or the conference of the school.”