Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Juju Ramirez picks up Kansas offer, talks recruitment
By JACOB POLACHECKJuju Ramirez has deep ties to Kansas.
His mother, Danielle Geronymo, played volleyball at KU from 1999-2000 while his father Carlos played high school basketball at Free State (KS) in Lawrence.
So when college coaches began reaching out to 2022 prospects on Monday, Kansas was one of the first to offer the sophomore forward.
Ramirez, the 6-foot-7, 205-pound small forward, picked up an offer from the Jayhawks on Monday after talking with assistant coach Kurtis Townshend.
As a hometown kid from Lawrence I’m extremely excited to say I have received an offer from Kansas University! ♥️💙 pic.twitter.com/P4UB2BYPv8
“He just offered me the scholarship at KU and said he wanted me to come win another national championship,” Ramirez said. “It was shocking to me. It was crazy.
“The atmosphere there is crazy. I have a good understanding of the culture of basketball in Lawrence.”
In addition to Kansas, Ramirez holds offers from Denver and Bryant.
He also was contacted by Minnesota, Brown, Southeast Missouri State and Nebraska-Omaha on Monday.
In terms of his recruitment, Ramirez is paying attention to a number of factors.
“Really the fit and I want to play as a freshman also,” he said. “I’m looking for a good fit and somewhere I can be comfortable. Also, the coaching staff is a huge deal for me. So, somewhere I know they have my best interest and where it feels like home.”
After spending last season at Bishop Seabury Academy (KS), Ramirez is headed to New Hampton Prep (NH) for his junior year.
“I chose New Hampton Prep because Brady Morningstar went there and he was an advocate for me to get to New Hampton,” Ramirez said. “Also, there’s a difference between Lawrence basketball and the NEPSAC League.
“Just playing with older and stronger guys is only going to make me better for the next level. So, those were the factors that pushed me.”
Ramirez was slated to play for Mokan Elite this summer on the Nike EYBL circuit, but with Nike cancelling the circuit for the remainder of the year, he has been working out from home.
“I’ve just been trying to get weights and trying to get a lot stronger,” he said. “Basketball wise, I’ve been with Brady and Doug Compton Jr.. Those guys have really helped me a lot. I’ve been trying to work out a couple times each day.”
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