El Capitan High senior standout ready for the challenges college basketball will bring
El Capitan High School senior Emma Ramey is excited for the challenges that college basketball will bring.
Two of the biggest challenges Ramey will face is switching from a high school post player to a guard in college and making the move from California to the Midwest.
On Tuesday, Ramey signed a national letter of intent with Graceland University in Iowa.
“I’m beyond excited,” Ramey said. “I didn’t expect any of this to happen, and when it did, my eyes lit up with joy.”
Ramey becomes the second Merced County athlete to sign with Graceland University in recent weeks. The other happens to be her boyfriend Jahkylle Smith, who is headed to Graceland to play football from Golden Valley High School.
“It’s definitely going to be a change and I’m going to have to get used to the environment,” Ramey said on moving from home. “The weather will be a change. I definitely will get homesick but I’ll adapt to it.”
Ramey averaged 6.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 steals per game as an undersized post player.
Standing 5 feet, 2 inches, Ramey will make the switch to the backcourt at Graceland.
The position switch means she’ll have to work on her ball-handling and shooting.
“I’m going to have to work in all those areas,” Ramey said. “It’s going to be difficult and it’ll be life-changing.”
Gauchos coach Tyler Dietz has confidence Ramey can make the position switch.
“I think there could be a learning curve early but she’s a fast learner,” Dietz said. “She picks up things quickly.”
Ramey says she felt at home while visiting Graceland earlier this month.
“I feel they actually took the time to get to know me,” Ramey said. “They were very welcoming when I visited the campus. I also felt like they reached out to me instead of me having to do all the work.”
Ramey says she wants to major in social work. She compiled a 3.12 grade-point average at El Capitan.
“(Graceland) is getting an all-around individual,” Dietz said. “They are getting someone who took care of business on the court and off the court. She was a team captain who challenged her teammates to be better.”
Ramey said officially putting pen to paper on signing day and sharing that moment with family, friends and teammates was special.
“It just felt so good,” she said. “It really felt like I achieved something. I was so grateful for everyone who came out to support me.”
