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ILS Emilio Ramirez: One of South Florida Hidden Gems

By HoopMIA, 01/21/20, 3:00PM EST

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The subject of this week’s HoopMIA player spotlight is one of the best well kept secrets in Dade County. Emilio Ramirez is the leading scorer and most talented player for Immaculata-La Salle and is having a big junior season. He is averaging 23.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game this year. He talked about what he feels are his strengths on the floor and which aspects he is looking to improve. 

 

“The best part about my game is my ability to score,” said Ramirez. “I can score at will but I can also control the floor. I am always working to improve my overall game, but I would also like to work on my body more this offseason.”

 

Ramirez plays for Derrick De La Grana at La Salle. As a high school player, De La Grana was one of the best point guards in South Florida receiving all state recognition after his senior season. De La Grana is the son of Miami Heat assistant coach Octavio De La Grana and is known as an elite player development coach. He has been coaching Ramirez since middle school and he talked about his ability and work ethic. 

 

"Emilio is a very gifted offensive player,” said De La Grana. “He spends hours in the gym working on his game year round. We spent time on his balance and hand placement over the summer, which has improved his 3 point percentage. As he continues to get stronger and improves overall understanding of the game he will have an opportunity to play at the next level."

 

The 6-foot-2 Ramirez leads a young Royal Lions group that has a roster filled with underclassmen. They will face off this week with two of the top teams in their region in Westminster Christian and Florida Christian. The games are Wednesday and Thursday at La Salle and will give Ramirez a platform to showcase the kind of player that he is. He talked about the week ahead and his goals for the rest of the season. 

 

“We approach this week just like every other game,” said Ramirez. “My team and I are going to come out playing hard from the jump and work towards a win. My personal goal for this season is to be the leading scorer in the county. My team goal is to get as many wins as possible and to continue being a leader for my team as we continue to develop.”

 

The 2021 point guard played with the Miami Runnin’ Rebels and the JaxFam travel teams this summer and was a standout performer. Ramirez is an extremely crafty ball handler that is able to get into the paint at will. He is good set shooter and is solid mid range pull up shooter. He uses his length to finish at the rim and is a solid athlete with good speed. He is a player schools should be monitoring as he continues to develop and expand his game, He talked about what the game of basketball means to him. 

 

“I just love the game of basketball in general. Ever since I was a kid, I have loved this game. I have learned a lot throughout the years on and off the court, and the game has built me into the person I am today.”

 

Ramirez has the potential to be the next college basketball player to come out of La Salle, which is a program that has produced a tremendous amount of talented players. He is an ascending talent and it will be interesting to see how high his ceiling as a player is.