Augusta, GA

Augusta University basketball star lives out lifelong dream

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2024

Augusta University basketball star lives out lifelong dream

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – For some athletes, having success can have a lot to do with their fit on the team they play for.

Making the trip across the Atlantic and landing in Augusta was the best thing for one Augusta University basketball star.

At 16 years old, Maximillian Amadasun moved from Dublin, Ireland to New York City with hopes of following his dreams on the basketball court.

“I’m thankful to have a lot of friends that care for me, and told me, you know, you’re tall so you should play basketball, and I said, ‘Okay let’s do it,’” said Amadasun.

The 6 foot 10 inch center spent time at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of St. Bonaventure before finding his home away from home at Augusta University.

Head Coach Dip Metress said: “He had a great line on his visit. I said something about working hard, he goes I continue to work hard because I must not have been good enough to play at the places I was before. Didn’t blame a coach, didn’t blame the meal plan, didn’t blame anything. So, I knew then he was made of something.”

Amadasun said: “With Dip, he’ll always give you some form of freedom in a way to be yourself and that’s one thing I love about this system, the environment.”

His work ethic and attention to detail make him a perfect fit for Metress and the Jags.

“He averaged the most rebounds of anybody I’ve coached in my 20 years, and I would say this, I’ve had a lot of bigger guys he’s the hardest working guy over 6 foot 8 inch that I’ve had,” said Metress.

Amadasun said: “Sticking to it just, you know, chopping wood, carrying water each and every day doing the same stuff and good results will come out of it.”

Being an international player living in Augusta is something Amadasun takes a lot of pride in.

“The number is slowly growing, but I’m one of few that play basketball in the States let alone live in America for sports or anything. It is you know, good to share different cultures and share different experiences with people because some people might never ever get to go to Ireland. So, it’s good to tell people about where I’m from,” he said.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

11 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

23 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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