HOMER — One of northeast Georgia’s best basketball players the past two seasons may never be able to play again.
Banks County's Kahmal Wiley, who helped lead the Leopards to three straight state playoff appearances and a Region 8-AA title this past season, was seriously injured in a one-car accident on Saturday on his way to visit his father in Athens.
Wiley suffered extensive injuries, including having part of one leg amputated, and is listed in stable condition at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. He was life-flighted from the accident.
Banks County coach Mike Cleveland said it has been a rough three days for the Banks County community.
“Kahmal is just one of the best young men I’ve ever coached and was loved by everybody here,” Cleveland said Monday while on his way down to Atlanta. “I’ve been down here every day to check on him. The good thing is that he survived. It was pretty bad.”
The senior standout had signed to play at Erskine College in Due West, S.C., and was planning to join former Banks County teammates Zez Steeple, Zac Orr and Austin Venable to play for the Flying Fleet.
“He was really looking forward to that, and I think all four of them were real excited about getting back together,” Cleveland said. “It’s just a sad situation for everyone.”
However, Cleveland said Erskine already has mentioned that it will honor his scholarship and look to have him be involved with the program, perhaps as an assistant coach or manager.
“They have said when he gets to campus they will honor the scholarship. I think that was a great thing to do. Now, we just have to help him get better,” he said.
Cleveland also said he talked to both Banks County basketball programs to give them an update on their classmate.
“It was emotional but I think everyone is feeling positive about him coming through this,” Cleveland said. “If anyone can overcome this, it’s him. We’re just praying for him and asking everyone to pray for him. He has a long road back.”
Wiley, along with Steeple, Orr and Venable, helped put the Banks County program on the map in recent seasons. Before finally winning the region title, their first in 20 years, they advanced to the second round of the playoffs in 2016 (AAA) and in 2015 after finishing as Region 7-AAA runner-up.
