by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s assist leader the last two years will continue his collegiate basketball, career at Avila University.
Ray Ridley, a two-year starter at point guard for the Blue Devils, signed a letter of intent with Avila on Tuesday.
“Ray has a lot of things going for him – leadership at point guard, his defensive ability and he’s a winner,” said Avila head coach Rodney Perry. “But his biggest strength is that he makes everyone around him better.”
Perry said Ridley fills a definite need for the Eagles.
“We have only one point guard and we need two,” said Perry, who returns 9 of his top 11 players from this 2014-15 team that finished 15-15. “We return an All-American, one of the best big men in the conference and one of the top shooters.”
Avila is a member of the Heart of America Conference which also includes Benedictine where Ridley’s teammate, C.J. Vallejo, signed earlier.
“Avila seemed like a perfect fit,” said Ridley, who chose Avila over Park University. ”I loved the visit and I was really made to feel welcome.”
Playing 31 minutes a game, Ridley averaged 8.9 points, 4.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a freshman. As a sophomore, Ridley increased his assists to 5.5 per game and his assist-turnover ratio to 2.8, two major factors as the Blue Devils finished 23-9, an increase of 16 wins over the previous season. Averaging 32.8 minutes a game, Ridley averaged 6.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals.
“Ray’s leadership in dishing out more than assists was instrumental in our success,” said KCKCC coach Kelley Newton. A graduate of Hogan Prep, Ridley averaged 8 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists on a state championship team.