The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS 

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

RAMON Knowles is preparing to take his basketball ambitions beyond Bahamian shores, with the 6-foot-10 prospect set to begin a new chapter at Veritas Academy in California after a 14-month transformation at Noble Preparatory Academy.

Knowles, who is expected to begin classes and the basketball programme this week, leaves Noble Prep with considerable improvements in his game and academics, having worked his way from a student averaging just above two points academically to a 3.5 grade point average while making significant strides on the basketball court.

Noble Prep head coach Geno Bullard said Knowles arrived at the institution with a modest basketball foundation but quickly demonstrated the willingness to work and respond to coaching, allowing the programme to prepare him for an opportunity that has now materialised.

“It took us about 14 months to get Ramon exactly where he needs to be at this point for him to be able to capitalise on the fact that this opportunity is right now at his door,” Bullard said.

“He came in with a very humble basketball skill level. It was not where I needed it to be, but he was willing to work hard. He improved tremendously in his overall skills on the basketball court.”

The development was not limited to his performance on the court, with Bullard pointing to Knowles’ academic turnaround as one of the most important aspects of his progress.

“That right there is very important when we’re talking about student-athletes who are not only competing at a high level, but also have to maintain their academics and be just as disciplined in ensuring that they are sound with their academics as well,” Bullard said.

On the basketball court, Knowles made considerable progress in his post play, jump shot and ability to operate with his back to the basket. His strength, conditioning and understanding of how to play the centre position also improved during his time at Noble Prep.

Bullard said Knowles initially arrived measuring 6-foot-6 but has since grown to approximately 6-foot-10, giving him additional physical tools to continue developing as a frontcourt player.

“We still have a whole lot more way to go as far as getting stronger and learning more on the basketball court,” Bullard said.

“He is a young man that works very hard. He doesn’t complain. He allows coaches to push him.”

Knowles said attending school in the United States had been a goal for some time, as he looked to place himself in an environment where he could continue improving and compete against stronger opposition.

“Personally, this opportunity means a lot to me because it’s a chance to take another major step towards achieving something I’ve been working hard for,” Knowles said.

“It’s more than just transferring to another school or playing basketball somewhere new. It’s an opportunity to grow as a student, an athlete and a young man.”

Although excited about the move, Knowles understands that the opportunity brings expectations and that he will have to establish himself within a new programme.

He credited Noble Prep and Bullard for helping him build the discipline, consistency and accountability needed to make the transition, describing his time at the institution as instrumental in shaping the person and player he is today.

“When I first came to Noble Prep, I wasn’t necessarily at the level I wanted to be academically or athletically,” Knowles said.

“However, being in that environment challenged me to become better in every area of my life. I’ve grown tremendously, not only as a basketball player but also as a student and individual.”

Knowles also highlighted Bullard’s influence, particularly his emphasis on discipline and the importance of putting in the work away from the basketball court.

“He’s taught me that talent alone isn’t enough to get you where you want to go. You need discipline, commitment and the willingness to put in the work when nobody is watching,” he said.

“One thing Coach Bullard always emphasises is the saying, ‘No pain, no gain.’ That has stuck with me because it reminds me that growth requires sacrifice.”

While Bullard and Noble Prep played an important role in establishing that foundation, Bahamas National Team veteran and seasoned professional basketball player Jauraun ‘Kino’ Burrows and his Raw Talent Sports developmental programme also had a significant hand in preparing Knowles for the move.

Bullard credited Burrows for his involvement in Knowles’ development, particularly over the last two and-a-half months, as the two programmes worked together to prepare the young prospect for his transition to California.

He described the relationship between Noble Prep and Raw Talent Sports as an important partnership in identifying, developing and connecting Bahamian athletes with opportunities overseas.

“Kino has been very instrumental in helping to develop a lot of these young men,” Bullard said. “He has been doing a phenomenal job in our country with our basketball programmes.”

Knowles also acknowledged Burrows and Raw Talent Sports for helping him develop a better understanding of the game and the opportunities that can come from taking basketball seriously.

He said Burrows taught him that contributing to a team involves much more than scoring, with decision-making, reading situations and understanding different aspects of the game equally important.

Bullard believes Veritas Academy is an appropriate environment for Knowles to continue that development, pointing to the programme’s history of cultivating high-level talent and placing players in positions to pursue greater opportunities.

He also noted that another Bahamian player who came through Noble Prep, Whitfield Ching, is already at Veritas after previously spending two years in a development programme in France.

Bullard said Ching’s presence gives Knowles another Bahamian to look towards as he adjusts to his new surroundings and works to improve his game.

With Knowles still developing physically and technically, Bullard is not placing unrealistic expectations on his first year, instead viewing it as an important period of adjustment, learning and preparation.

“I know this year will be kind of up and down for him as far as just trying to figure out the system, learn exactly what he should be doing,” Bullard said.

“This will be a year for him to just figure it all out, learn, watch a lot of basketball, get in there where he can and try to develop.”

The coach hopes that by this time next year Knowles will be more seasoned and better equipped to establish himself as a serious prospect for the next stage of his basketball career.

He understands that improving his shooting, ball-handling, decision-making, defensive ability and overall basketball IQ will be necessary to become a more complete player.

“I want to continue developing, competing at a high level and putting myself in a position where I can earn opportunities to play at the collegiate level,” Knowles said.

“The ultimate dream is to reach the NBA, but I also understand that there’s a process involved. I’m focused on taking things one step at a time, staying disciplined and making the most of every opportunity.”

Bullard said Knowles’ departure is also part of a wider commitment at Noble Prep to ensure its athletes are prepared for opportunities beyond the local school sports system.

The coach, who has enjoyed success at the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools level, including four consecutive senior boys basketball championships, said establishing Noble Prep allowed him to place greater emphasis on the overall development of young athletes.

He explained that too many talented Bahamian players have previously fallen short of opportunities because of academic shortcomings or an inability to sustain themselves once given a chance overseas.

Rather than concentrating solely on producing dominant local teams, Noble Prep has made it a priority to develop students academically, athletically and personally, even if that means losing some of its best players to overseas programmes.

“We sacrifice a lot of our local programme as far as being able to build strong and dominant teams like we did in the past because most of our talent we cultivate, we groom them and we prepare them for the next level,” Bullard said.

“Our main focus is ensuring that not only can students receive an opportunity, but also keep it and retain it.”

He added that the programme has athletes in the pipeline across basketball, volleyball and track and field, with plans to continue securing opportunities for students who demonstrate commitment in the classroom and in their respective sports.

Bullard also encouraged young Bahamian athletes to place their education alongside their sporting ambitions, warning that talent alone cannot guarantee a successful transition overseas.

“We have many students that can play, but a lot of them are not up to the standard academically for them to even go to a junior college, versus a Division I or something even greater,” he said.

“Keep in the books, athletes, and make sure that that’s a priority.”