In college basketball, you hear a lot about five-star recruits, buzzer beaters and March Madness moments. But every once in a while, a different kind of story comes along — one that doesn’t start with national rankings or scholarship offers.
For Boise State junior Brennan Ramirez, his road to the hardwood wasn’t paved with glory. It started with a towel over his shoulder and a whole lot of hustle.
A dream deferred, not denied
Ramirez described himself as the kind of player who gave everything he had every time he stepped on the court.
Ramirez grew up in Redding, California, and played high school basketball at Enterprise High. During his senior season, he averaged 16.2 points, 1.9 steals, and an assist per game – solid numbers that earned him second-team all-league honors.
Still, when graduation rolled around, offers weren’t pouring in. Ramirez had some interest from NAIA programs, but nothing that felt like the right fit.
Instead of forcing it, Ramirez made a decision that most players would struggle with — he chose to step away from playing competitively and enrolled as a regular student at Boise State in 2022.
But Ramirez wasn’t done with basketball. Not even close.
“I emailed the coaching staff here at 8 p.m. one night, and by the next morning, I already had a response,” Ramirez said. “I ended up getting a managing position and thought, ‘I’m just going to go for it.’”
For two years, Ramirez worked behind the scenes doing the dirty work. He wiped down gyms, hauled gear, and helped set up practices. It wasn’t glamorous, but he treated every task like it mattered. To him, every day around the team was a day closer to the game he loved.
Ramirez soaked everything in — watching how the team practiced, how players carried themselves and how Coach Leon Rice ran the show. Ramirez not only managed— he learned how Boise State’s team functioned.
A manifestation and a milestone
On September 7, 2022, Ramirez typed a message into his phone’s notes app that would eventually change his life: “I WILL walk on at Boise State University.”
“I’ve always been the kind of person who speaks things into existence,” said Ramirez. “When I really want something, I’ll make a note of it or set a goal and I just try my hardest to make it happen.”
It might sound like something out of a movie, but this wasn’t an overnight success. Ramirez approached Coach Rice about the possibility of trying out. Instead of brushing him off, Rice gave him a challenge: Show that you’re serious. Prove that you belong.
Specifically, Ramirez set a goal to take the most practice shots by the end of the summer. He didn’t just meet the challenge — he exceeded it. He estimated that he beat 6-foot-7 sophomore Andrew Meadow, who is known for getting the most shots up during the summer, by a couple thousand. Meadow himself guessed he took around 50,000 shots.
Determined to prove he belonged, Ramirez made every day count. He stayed relentless, put up shots whenever he could, locked in on his training and pushed himself to be ready.
All that work built toward a moment most players only dream about.
Clearing the hurdles
Ramirez’s story took another turn when Boise State hit a roadblock.
A new NCAA rule, introduced just a few months before he began his role, stated that student managers couldn’t later join the roster of the same sport at the same school. In other words, Ramirez wasn’t eligible.
But the Broncos didn’t stop there. The staff filed a waiver with the NCAA, hoping they’d make an exception for a guy who clearly earned his shot. For nearly two months, Ramirez waited, not knowing if he’d get the green light or be left behind.
Then came the team meeting. Coach Rice stood in the front of the room and held up a jersey with Ramirez’s name and the number 20.
Just like that, he was no longer a manager. He was officially part of the team.
“The only word I can use to describe it is surreal,” said Ramirez. “When our coach came around the corner with that jersey, it was the best feeling anyone could ever have.”
The moment was caught on video and posted by Boise State Athletics. Ramirez fought back tears as his teammates surrounded him, clapping and cheering.
“All of the guys on the team wanted it for me more than anything … Those are my best friends,” Ramirez said.
This moment captured the hard work and commitment that basketball is about.
On November 12, 2024, Boise State hosted Corban University. What appeared as a typical early-season matchup to some meant everything for Ramirez. With the Broncos up big, he checked in late in the game.
“Running onto the court is something that I always dreamt about,” said Ramirez. “Wearing the jersey of a school you’ve always wanted to represent … It felt like a full circle moment for me.”
He didn’t need a triple-double or game-winner. Just stepping on the court in a Boise State uniform meant everything.
More than just a spot
Now a junior, Ramirez may not always be the most visible player, but his impact shows in every practice, warm-up, and hustle. His effort has remained steady since his days as a manager, and now he brings that same drive to the court, contributing in ways that don’t always show up in the stats, but make a real difference in the team.
Ramirez has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches through his consistent effort. He shows up early, stays late and never hesitates to do the work needed to improve.
Fans take notice, too. When Ramirez checks in, the student section erupts — not because of points, but because he symbolizes the perseverance of someone who never stopped believing in himself.
As the Broncos pushed through the Mountain West season, Ramirez embraced a key principle within the Boise State men’s basketball program: “Be seen, not heard.” It’s a motto that reflects the value the program places on hard work, prioritizing actions over words. For years, he worked behind the scenes as a manager, showing determination every single day.
Ramirez showed up every day to put in the work and proved you don’t need the spotlight to make a difference. Whether it’s handling stats, assisting the team, or staying late to help with preparations, his dedication spoke louder than any words ever could.
So when you see number 20 warming up at ExtraMile Arena, remember: he didn’t just land there. He earned it, day by day. And he’s still proving that relentless effort and belief can carry you exactly where you’re meant to be.
“You’re not always going to be heard by everyone,” said Ramirez. “It’s about being seen, doing your best and being the best version of yourself.”
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Great article!! ❤️