Advertisement
Published Sep 24, 2015
Groce checks on 2018 point guard
Kedric Prince
OrangeandBlueNews.com Staff Writer
Advertisement
Early offers are piling up for 2018 guard Courtney Ramey from Webster Grove (Mo.).
The 6-foot Ramey has picked up high majors Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kansas State, and Missouri, among others.
Illini coach John Groce extended the offer in early August when Ramey was on campus in Champaign for an unofficial visit. Groce was out on the road recruiting this week, and he has a chance to pay Ramey a visit.
"My time with coach Groce went well," Ramey said. "Hec told me how important of a recruit I was for Illinois right now. They're really upgrading their talent and wants me to be a part of it."
A heady and athletic lead guard, Ramey excelled this summer playing for his father's AAU club, Ramey-Jets United. He can score from all three levels, has excellent quickness, and gets his teammates involved.
Groce is selling Ramey on his fit in the Illini system, which relies heavily on the point guard position and the ability to come off of balls screens and make plays.
"Coach Groce gave me examples how he would use me if I went there," Ramey said. "I could play point guard, I could also see myself running off screens and being able to score."
Ranked a 3-star prospect by Rivals.com, look for Ramey's stock to continue to rise. He has the look of a top 50 prospect nationally as he continues to mature physically.
Ramey has taken recent visits Ohio State and Arkansas. As the offer list grows, Ramey will likely become more known nationally. It's very early in his recruiting process, so Ramey isn't yet sure how location will play into his final college decision.
"I feel a little bit of pressure to stay home, but I feel I can go to any of the schools interested in me and go win championships and still be close to home," Ramey said.
Groce extended an open invitation for Ramey to come back to Illinois to check out the program during the basketball season, and he hopes to do just that.
"Once the season starts and I can get everything figured out," Ramey said. "I really hope I can get back to Illinois. I really liked my time there."