Friends of Kahmal Wiley, a first-team all-state basketball player from Banks County who lost both legs above the knees to amputation following a car crash, have established a fund to help pay for his medical expenses.
Wiley remains in intensive care at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he was air-lifted April 14. Wiley, the driver and only occupant of the car, drove off a road and into a tree while traveling from Homer to Athens to visit his father.
Banks County boys basketball coach Mike Cleveland said that Wiley’s outlook is strong despite his new challenges.
‘’I spent a couple of hours with him yesterday, and he still couldn’t talk, but he was writing on a board and was telling all the kids at school, ‘Y’all keep your heads up, I’ll be back soon,’ ‘’ Cleveland said. “He said he’s ready to fight this and get up and get moving.’’
Wiley is a senior who had planned to continue playing basketball at Erskine College in South Carolina. For Banks County this past season, Wiley averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds for a team that won its first region title in 20 years.
Wiley scored 31 points with 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in the round of 16 against Josey in his final high school game. Wiley is believed to be the first Banks County boys player ever to make first-team all-state.
Off the court, Wiley is reserved, Cleveland said.
‘’But with the guys at school, he’s a funny kid, always upbeat, always smiling, just a good guy to be around,’’ Cleveland said. “That’s one reason the community has rallied around him. He’s just a likeable guy.’’
Donations to the Kahmal Wiley Benefit Account can be made to the Habersham Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 563, Homer, Ga., 30547. Contributions also can be made at
‘’The support so far has been unbelievable, and I know his family is going to need this to get through it,’’ Cleveland said.
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