adidas/EA Sports Superstar: Ramel Bradley

The University of Kentucky is still reeling from their early exit from the NCAA tournament but Wildcat fans are feeling some relief with the thought of their great incoming class next season. One of those impact players is 6-foot-3, 185 pound guard Ramel Bradley out of IMG Academy (Fla.). We caught up with the Brooklyn native at the adidas/EA Sports Superstar game in Knoxville, Tenn. and got his thoughts about next season.

With Bradley, the No. 91 player on the Rivals150, Joe Crawford and Rajon Rondo coming to town, UK fans are seeing a bright future. So is Bradley.

“We’d still be winning if we were all there,” Bradley laughed. “I’m pretty confident that we can help get the team further next year. I’m ready to get together with the guys and get this going.”

One of the things Bradley is looking forward too is teaming up with a familiar face, New York native Shagari Ayellene. Having the 7-foot-3 in Lexington helps makes the transition to college a little easier for Bradley.

“It helps a lot having him there when I get there,” Bradley said. “He knows the style that I like to run and I know what he can do. I think we can make some noise down the road together because of our history. We’ll have some NYC working there.”

Like most recruits, Bradley also raved about his future head coach.

“He’s just a great guy and really down to earth,” Bradley said. “He’s a good man. When I first met him I thought he was going to be real strict and I was real nervous but he made me feel real comfortable. I’m really ready to start playing for him.”

Bradley comes to Lexington with great basketball knowledge after spending a year at IMG Academy in Florida. But after going 17-8 on the season, the incoming freshman also learned a life lesson about the game, too.

“I learned how to lose,” Bradley said. “I just learned a lot about myself because we lost. I don’t want to get used to it but it was a good learning experience. We played a lot of JUCO teams and the guards we played were real strong and their moves were stronger. Their quickness was better than what I was used to. I had to really use my mind.”

Bradley will play his last official basketball game on Friday night at the Thompson-Boling Arena on the campus of his future rival University of Kentucky. He’ll suit up for the KG Superstars at the adidas/EA Sports Superstar game. Bradley averaged 25 points, five assists and four rebounds as senior.