Jordan Ratliffe Interview
Every player has a story of how they got to where they are, some travel a bumpy road while others do not have much adversity to deal with and things come easy for them. Jordan Ratliffe is without a doubt…
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Continue ReadingEvery player has a story of how they got to where they are, some travel a bumpy road while others do not have much adversity to deal with and things come easy for them. Jordan Ratliffe is without a doubt a player that has worked for everything he has and the results have paid off big time, NCISAA 2A Championship, Scholarship to VMI, 1st Team All-County, and the list goes on and on. He didn’t have a high ranking, wasn’t featured on tons of mixtapes, but he is the real deal! We got the opportunity to catch up with Jordan prior to their game against Trinity Christian on Tuesday evening , after speaking with him there is one thing that is for certain, although he’s accomplished a lot so far, he is nowhere near content or finished.
Q: So you came in to Village from Scotland County, definitely under the radar to a lot of colleges even before this past summer you didn’t have a D1 offer. So what was it this summer? Did you play with a chip on your shoulder to prove to people you were D1 or you just played your game?
Jordan: Oh I had to play with a chip on my shoulder, I felt I was better than a lot of the players that had those D1 offers So I just took that , put it on my shoulders and played hard every tournament. It Paid off.
Q: You’re from a smaller town on the East side of the State which in my opinion gets overlooked a lot, do you feel like it can be?
Jordan: Yes, where I’m from they’re not known for producing basketball players, football is big where I’m from but basketball is not , they just look over that but it’s alright.
Q: What’s a typical day for you if you don’t have school?
Jordan: Where I’m from its hard for me to get a gym, so whenever I can find an open gym to work on my game or whenever I can train, I try to take full responsibility to go to the gym and work because If I don’t I feel like I will be surpassed by other players that’s working on their game so whenever a gym is open I got to go find it and get it in.
Q: I see you work out with Gilbert Abraham, is there anything you feel in particular while working with him that has helped you?
Jordan: Overall just working with him makes you a better player, not just in basketball but as a person in life, he’s really good guy and has taught me a lot of things both on and off the court.
Q: What was about VMI that made you sign with them in the early signing period?
Jordan: I felt like I was wanted, lots of schools recruit you just because you’re good or whatever but VMI let me know I can fit their system and that I’m needed there. They feel like I can help their program and I think I can as well, so I just felt like it was a good move , I could see myself going to the school , its different because its military but I think I can handle it.
Q: Typical game day for you, anything you do in particular?
Jordan: Nah just make sure I’m in a good mood and go out to have fun, and just play the game of basketball
Q: Goals for this year?
Jordan: Of course to get another state championship, and with that I want to make my teammates better , If I’m getting better then I want to help them get better so that we all can be great. I don’t think it’s good to have one great player on a team, not saying that I’m great but I don’t think it should be one great player and everybody else is ok. In my opinion I think everybody on the team should be great.
Q: Favorite Sports Team and Player?
Jordan: Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose
Q: You’ve worn: #11, #23 and #1, is there any significance about those numbers?
Jordan: Nah it’s just a number