Paloma Ramirez boasts a distinction few college basketball players can claim.
In her three-plus seasons with the women’s team at UC Merced, the Monte Vista Christian School graduate has twice earned best-in-conference accolades.
“Not every player has two ‘Of the Year’ awards,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez earned the California Pacific Conference’s Sixth Player of the Year award last season – UC Merced’s last in the NAIA. The Bobcats have since joined NCAA Division II and become the California Collegiate Athletic Association’s newest member, replacing Sonoma State.
Initially, Ramirez considered the Sixth Player award a dubious honor: It was a reminder that she’d spent much of her junior season coming off the bench and seeing more limited playing time than she did in her impressive inaugural college campaign. Cal Pac coaches had named her the conference’s Freshman of the Year in 2022-23 – something Ramirez declared her intent to accomplish the moment she arrived on UC Merced’s campus.
Upon further reflection, however, Ramirez found the Sixth Player award’s silver lining.
“Looking back, I can still be proud of myself and my growth,” the 5-foot-8 guard said. “I managed to fight my way to get back minutes and regain my starting spot.”
Paloma Ramirez, a MVC School alumna, is averaging 9.6 points and 5.7 rebounds this season for UC Merced. (UC Merced Athletics)
As a freshman, Ramirez ranked third among UC Merced players in scoring, averaging slightly more than 11 points per game. That production dropped off during the next two seasons, however, as she averaged 5.0 and 5.6 points as a sophomore and junior, respectively.
Some of that decline in production had to do with Ramirez’s changing role on the Bobcats.
“Her scoring going down is only a little piece of the story,” UCM coach Kelly Bernard said. “She’s helped us in so many other ways.”
Last season, for instance, Ramirez recorded her highest career assist total, dishing out 36. With 21 through last Saturday, she’s well on her way toward surpassing that total.
Ramirez has also developed into a solid defender and rebounder. This season, she’s averaging 5.6 rebounds per contest – the highest average of her career.
“Sometimes she’ll go for a double-double,” Bernard said. “Other times, she’ll do the gritty things, like diving on the floor for a loose ball and things like that.
“We haven’t needed her to score 16 points per game,” the coach added. “We’ve needed her to control the tempo, get rebounds and do all those other things.”
Even so, Ramirez’s scoring has spiked sharply upward this season. Averaging 9.6 points per game entering this weekend’s home-and-home series against Stanislaus State, the senior has scored 13 or more points eight times, including a 16-point, 11-rebound performance against Hawaii Pacific on Nov. 21 in which she shot 4-for-6 from 3-point range. She also netted a season-high 17 points at Chico State on Dec. 4.
Ironically, that was the only game in which Ramirez didn’t start for UC Merced this season.
More recently, Ramirez scored 15 points at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Jan. 6, going 3-for-6 on 3-point attempts and 6-for-12 from the field overall. She also garnered 13 points against Cal State East Bay on Jan. 15 in addition to grabbing eight rebounds – the seventh time this season in which she’d pulled down seven or more.
Ramirez spent last summer working with a trainer to fix her jump shot, improve her 3-point shot and become more aggressive in the paint. She also devoted significant time to strength training at Guerilla Underground Performance in the town of Freedom.
“My teammates say I’m very strong and physical going to the basket now,” she said. “I’ve learned to use my strength better while attacking the basket.”
That drive to improve has made Ramirez effective as UC Merced’s captain for three years running, according to Bernard.
“She’s the hardest worker on our team by far,” the coach said. “She’s a leader by action, not just by words. She sets the tone by doing things, like being the first to get into the gym for extra shots, and in doing that, she inspires others.
“She’s also a very vocal leader. She encourages her teammates and pushes them to get better.”
Off the court, Ramirez serves as the social media chair for her school’s student-athlete committee. Not only does she promote her fellow student-athletes and highlight their awards, she also creates videos that she posts on Instagram, hoping to inspire students and fans to come watch Bobcats games.
“Usually, when I post funny videos, that brings the crowds out,” she said.
That seems fitting for Ramirez, whose major is management and business economics. She was pondering a career in marketing for a professional sports team at one point but is still figuring out her career path.
Ramirez is considering pursuing a master’s degree after she graduates from UC Merced. For now, though, the senior is trying to relish what little time she has left on the court.
“I’ll probably cry my eyes out (after her final game),” Ramirez said. “I’ve been playing my entire life. I really love this game.”
COUNTY CONNECTIONS
County Connections runs every other Thursday during the academic school year. If you have an update on a local college athlete, email Ray Hacke at [email protected].
