He came into the side as merely a back plan but turned out to be the real deal for Mfantsipim at the 2013 Sprite Ball Championship in Accra.
Not your flamboyant player and one that will excite crowd with wizardly tricks on the ball, but the 17-year-old gives 100 percent and over.
I dare say that in the modern day of basketball, aside talent, one other driving too in which the game thrives the most is devotion and total commitment to the course.
This is David Akuffo.
The youngster burst onto the scene and make household names including Ghana under-17 stars Julian Morgan and Patrick Koby Aryeetey to play catch-ups.
His name didn’t pop up as one of the forefront future talents to watch out for until he exhibited his talents at the two-day event which took place at the El-Wak Sports Stadium and the Aviation Social Centre on the 4 and 5 of January 2013 respectively.
Akuffo’s rise to fame was to be a swift one- he was part of a talented crop of Mfantsipim team who made history as the first senior high school to win the prestigious Sprite Ball Championship title on three successive occasions.
His incredible turn-out at the recently concluded competition made some of the household names to look pedestrian and was therefore not surprising when he was eventually voted the Most Valuable Player.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry at the Aviation Social Centre agreed that the Sprite Ball Technical Study Group was spot on with their decision.
He scored 10 points, dished four assists and grabbed three rebounds in an exhilarating final contest against Koforidua Secondary Technical School (KSTS)
“He (David Akuffo) is a fantastic player who deserves the kind of hype he’s getting from the media,” teammates Morgan said
“He came into the picture very determined to make a name for himself and I’m glad he stole the show.
“I believe the sky will be the limit for him in the years ahead.
“We’ve got to pray and support him all the way. He needs it to succeed at the top and remain there.”
Akuffo was just centre man dictating affairs from the middle of the court, but he showed leadership, motivational abilities and commitment to ensure they succeed.
He breaks down before every Mfantsipim’s basketball game with his crazy dancing, antics and surpasses the pregnant speeches of teammates Julian Morgan.
The Mfantsipim star produced an exciting display at the centre court of the Aviation Social Centre to beat closes challenger and teammates Julian Morgan to the award.
Akuffo surprised many with sublime and great inter-positional display on the court that saw many fans taken notice.
He inspired the Cape Coast side to defend their crown and in the process won the title for an enviable three consecutive occasions.
Akuffo’s charisma and dedication to pumping up his teammates makes him an unsung hero of the Mfantsipim side.
With his arsenal of chest bumps, high-fives and ridiculous handshakes, Akuffo motivates his teammates when they take to the floor.
