Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and now Annie Ramil are a few basketball players who came out of their retirement to play again.
During her senior season in 2022, Ramil was planning to take her Covid year to play basketball again. However, injury caused her to give up her fifth year. She moved back home to Binghamton, N.Y. to teach. This past summer she and head coach Carley Kuhns came up with a crazy idea.
“I told her that I wanted to get my master’s, and she said, ‘You could always take your last year.” and I was like, ‘Wait, are you serious?’ and she was like ‘Are YOU serious?’” said Ramil.
Ramil and Kuhns stayed close in the time Ramil was gone. During one of their routine checkups, Kuhns joked about her coming back.
After they both realized they were serious, Kuhns sent a request to the NCAA for Ramil to return and it was approved. Ramil was a little shocked that Kuhns was actually serious about bringing her back.
“The only time I had played in those two years was when one of my old teammates would make me play pick-up.” said Ramil.
Kuhns had no concerns about Ramil’s game after her two-year break.
“I figured it would take her a little time to get back into the swing of things basketball-wise, but I honestly expected her IQ to be a little raised because she had watched basketball for two years instead of playing.” said Kuhns.
Even though Ramil was older and had not played in a while, the girls welcomed her with open arms. They even voted her to be one of the captains of the team.
“She just brings a perspective that most teams don’t get.” said Alyssa Tarpley, Ramil’s teammate and co-captain.“The fact that she played for all these years, had two years off and came back to it, that just brings a different level of maturity and appreciation for the game.”
While Ramil loves Samford for her teammates and the faith-based environment, she came back for her coaches.
“Coach Carley, she’s like a mother and friend all in one. I always go to her for advice.” said Ramil.
Kuhns would not invite just anyone to return after two years of not playing. To her, Ramil is special.
“She calls me more than any other player I have coached,” said Kuhns, “I feel like a mother/daughter or older/younger sister relationship with her.”
Ramil dedicated this season to leadership since she would be the oldest on a young team.
“We focused a lot on leading but by action and leading myself first this season. There are certain levels of maturing that I’ve already reached that others will reach, and it is cool to watch and be a leader for them but also learn from them.” said Ramil.
The team has loved Ramil and the leadership she brings.
“She pushes everybody and holds everyone to a really high standard. She is so consistent, she pushes us and reminds us about the bigger picture.” said Tarpley.
Ramil’s leadership and dedication make her a great player. Even after two years, she has started in 24 games this season.
“Oh, I knew she’d be starting. She is one of our best leaders, she is our best vocal leader, she has won a SoCon championship here. She knows the expectation and she knows me so she is kind of like an extension of me on the floor.” said Kuhns.
While Ramil is a great player, that is not why people love her. Her selflessness and desire for relationships have caused Ramil to be so beloved by everyone around her.
“She just cares so much for other people and is so passionate about what she is doing. She is going to do whatever she can to help the people around her.” said Tarpley.
Fans have two more chances to see Ramil and the Samford women’s basketball team play at home. Thursday, February 27th they play UNCG at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 1st they play WCU at 2 p.m. Don’t miss out on a chance to see the team expand their five-game win streak!
