DeLuis Ramirez is used to winning basketball games. As a high school standout at Northwest Christian Academy, Ramirez played on 3 state championship teams. Last year, his first at Odessa Community College, Ramirez continued his winning ways and scored a team-leading 14 points and 6 assists. Toss in 5 boards a game and you have the makings of a player expected to contribute immediately for the Rams.
Ramirez values his winning resume. “It helps me a lot because people see me as a winner,” Ramirez said. “I’ll go out there and play – no matter even if I’m sick – I’ll just do what’s necessary to help this team win.”
On Monday, the 6-foot-4 wing man who is a native of Miami committed to play at Virginia Commonwealth for Coach Anthony Grant. Grant, also a native of Miami, has Tony Pujol on his staff that happened to coach Ramirez for 2 seasons at Northwest Christian Academy.
Getting comfortable with the coaching staff the way he did with the Rams was key to him picking VCU after hearing from UTEP, UNLV, Rice and Baylor.
“It was very important,” Ramirez said of his relationship with the current staff. “I needed to feel comfortable and know that I will be pushed. It’ll be difficult being away from home (so you need somebody).”
“D-Lo” is expected to play the shooting guard and possibly small forward at VCU. The Rams have 4 more scholarships to award to members of the Class of 2007.