Ramirez-Tejeda Featured in Boston Herald

Emmanuel star Yuleska Ramirez-Tejeda puts pro hoop career in Europre on hold

By Rich Thompson - Boston Herald Reporter
Published on April 2, 2020 by the Boston Herald

Emmanuel College forward Yuleska Ramirez-Tejada had realistic ambitions of playing professional basketball in a foreign country, and she did everything in her capacity to make it a reality.

Ramirez-Tejada's aspirations for overseas travel, a post graduate degree, and a pro career in Europe have been derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic on both sides of the pond.

"It's been a rough couple of weeks and I'm not really sure what I want to do," said Ramirez-Tejada. "My plan was to go play pro basketball somewhere but with this pandemic that I wasn't expecting going on I'm obviously rethinking everything."

Ramirez-Tejada set single season school records for points (626) and rebounds (347) in separate seasons and led the nation last season with 23 double doubles.

She led the Saints to consecutive CNAC championships in 2019 and 2020 and earned D3Hoops.com All-America honors while maintaining a 3.9 grade point average.

Earlier in the month, Ramirez-Tejada's was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American for classroom work as a criminal justice major. She was one of seven players in the nation to garner D3Hoops.com and CoSIDA All-America status.

"Individual honors are always great and obviously I'm proud and happy," said Ramirez-Tejada. "But I couldn't have done it without the support I had from our great coaching staff and my teammates and my family.

"They were always there to support me and push me to better and I'm thankful."

With mandatory evacuation from Emmanuel campus and the cancellation of the softball season, Ramirez-Tejada's second passion, everything was put on hold. The South Boston resident was compelled to reassess her options without losing sight of her primary objective.

"I have a fifth year (softball) and I can use that to finish the way I want," said Ramirez-Tejada. "That wasn't the way I was planning on going out, but if I get a good (basketball) offer I'm going to take it because that's been my dream since I can remember.

"If I have to take a fifth year I can train and go for it afterwards."

Project hope

Saints coach Andy Yosinoff wrapped up his 43rd season with 853 career wins and is positioned to help Ramirez-Tejada manage her goals.

Yosinoff doubles as coach and patriarch to his basketball family and he prepares his players for life after college with the same fervor as the next game.

He had planned to contact his connections at a league in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Spain to find Ramirez-Tejada a basketball destination.

Former Emmanuel forward Fiona O'Dwyer, a 6-0 center who graduated in 2013, plays for Duran Maquinaria Ensino Lupa in Spain, one of countries hardest hit by the coronavirus.

"We have quite a few connections in Ireland and they have a program out of Belfast where kids go and get their master's degrees and that's one possibility," said Yosinoff.

"We are still working on it and I have her highlight tapes all over the place. Ideally her number one goal is to play overseas."

Out of Cambridge

Ramirez-Tejada was a standout performer in volleyball, basketball and softball at Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School. She played both guard and forward while serving as the Falcons' captain her junior and senior seasons.

As Ramirez-Tejada grew into her muscular 5-7 frame, she developed the aggressive low post presence that would become her staple at Emmanuel.

Ramirez-Tejada started her college career at the Div. 1 level when she enrolled at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. She played in 23 games and scored 53 points with 41 rebounds before reaching the conclusion she belonged elsewhere.

"It just wasn't a great fit and I thought coming back home was exactly what I needed and the Emmanuel campus was the right place," said Ramirez-Tejada. "Indiana just wasn't the right fit for myself."

Homeward bound

Emmanuel College is a tiny Boston based academic enclave located at the southern border of the Fens with a big reputation in Div. 3.

Ramirez-Tejada found her comfort zone and made an immediate impact in her first year. She started 27 games and averaged 15.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game with 13 double doubles.

Ramirez-Tejada averaged a double-double her junior year with 20.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. She was named a GNAC all-star in three straight seasons.

"She is an inside player and 5-7 at it is amazing at what she has accomplished," said Yosinoff. "She is a relentless rebounder and she jumps out of the gym.

"On the jump balls to start the game, I can only think of one time where somebody out jumped her and she going against 6-1 and 6-2 centers. She developed a reliable 15-foot jump shot, but she scored most of her baskets attacking the rim and offensive rebounds.

"Her points come from under the basket because she is relentless and she gets tons of offensive rebounds. I never saw anyone better at attacking the rim."

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