Ball State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Signs Four High School Standouts
November 11, 2011 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State men's basketball coach Billy Taylor announced the signings of Michael Ramey (Indianapolis, Ind./Southport), Bo Calhoun (South Bend, Ind./Washington), Marcus Posley (Rockford, Ill./Rockford Auburn) and Mading Thok (Boyden, Iowa/Western Christian) to national letters of intent Friday morning during the early signing period.
"With us losing three seniors from our program this year, it was important for us to sign a large class," Taylor said. "Our coaching staff worked extremely hard to sign four young men who fit very well into our program. We have a group of young men that are quality student-athletes. They are strong in the classroom, have very good work ethics and are very good basketball players. We are excited to welcome them into the Ball State basketball family."
Michael Ramey, a 6-5 shooting guard, is a three-year letterwinner at Southport High School for head coach Wes Peek. He was recently ranked as a Top 25 Shooter in the country for the class of 2012 by ESPN.com after leading the state in three-point shooting as a junior, connecting on 52.4 percent (66-of-126). He set the Southport single-game three-point field goal record with nine three-pointers against Greenwood Community last year, hitting 75 percent (9-of-12).
Ramey averaged 19.5 points per game as a junior while shooting 87.3 percent (69-of-79) from the charity stripe, including a school-record 27 consecutive free throws made. He finished last season 40th in the state in scoring with 410 points while earning First Team All-Conference Indiana honors. He posted 17.2 points per game as a sophomore while hitting 57 three-pointers.
Ramey played AAU basketball for the Southern Select (Atlanta, Ga.) for coach Reggie Ragland. He is an honor roll student and the son of Mark and Lisa Ramey.
"Michael is a tremendous shooter," Taylor said. "He has deep three-point range and can really score from the perimeter. Also, he has a very nice mid-range game and has the ability to put the ball on the floor. He brings a little more size at 6-foot-5 to our back court and I am excited about what he brings to our program."
Bo Calhoun, a 6-6 forward, is a three-year letterwinner at South Bend Washington High School for coach Chad Johnston. He has led the Panthers to a 46-22 record during his first three seasons, including a 12-7 mark last season. He earned First Team All-Northern Indiana Conference honors last season after averaging 18.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.
Calhoun was runner-up for the conference Most Valuable Player honors as a junior while being named team MVP. He averaged 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore when the team won 15 games. He played AAU basketball for MBA Select and coach Rod Creech. He helped his team win a state championship and post a third place finish over the past three seasons.
Calhoun is an honor roll student and a nominee for national honor society. He is the son of Danny Kennedy and Latanja Calhoun.
"Bo is a very skilled forward that brings an important set of attributes to our team," Taylor said. "He is a physical front court player who is a good athlete but also brings a very good skill level to the floor. He can shoot the three effectively, he can put the ball on the floor to create for himself or teammates and he can play in the post as a physical interior player."
Marcus Posley, a 6-1 guard, is a three-year letterwinner at Winnebago High School for coach Joe Murphy. He earned Illinois High School Association All-State honors as a junior as he averaged 19.4 points per game and 4.5 assists per contest. He also picked up All-Northern Illinois Conference and All-Area accolades last season before transferring to Rockford Auburn High School this season.
Posley also was a standout track athlete as he finished third in the 200-meter dash at the Illinois boys track state final last year. He played AAU basketball for Pryme Tyme and coach Anthony Cornell. He led his team to the Orlando Super Showcase championship this summer as he scored 30 points, including six three-pointers, in the championship game. He also helped his team to the Best Buy Summer Classic championship in Minneapolis, Minn.
Posley is the son of Marc and Shannon Posley.
"Marcus is a very fast, athletic player," Taylor said. "He has terrific range on his jump shot, a great body that allows him to dribble-drive and finish through contact and has a very solid handle with good floor vision. He gives us another guard in the back court with a variety of skill sets that can play multiple positions."
Mading Thok (pronounced MUH-Ding), a 7-0 center, is a native of Bor, Sudan and he played last season at Sioux City East High School for coach Jeff Vanderloo. He transferred to Western Christian High School this summer for his senior season due to his visa status. He averaged 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game as a junior while shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 67.6 percent from the free throw line.
Thok played AAU basketball for the All-Iowa Attack for coach Hank Huddleson last summer. He helped his team to a fifth-place finish in the AAU Nationals as well as the Spiece Run N' Slam championship in Fort Wayne. He also played for the Martin Brothers Select AAU team prior to his junior season and helped them post a 57-7 record with a No. 6 ranking in the nation.
Thok is the son of Anyuon Thok and Achol Mading.
"Mading's best basketball is clearly ahead of him," Taylor said. "He can block shots, and finish around the basket. He has had some very good coaching throughout his high school career and continues to make improvements. We are excited to have the opportunity to work with him and help him continue his development in the years to come."
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