Norman’s Avery Ragland

By Ivy Knapp

Norman basketball player Avery Ragland has been a part of basketball for many years. She started playing when she was five years old when her parents signed her up for a small co-ed league at their local community center. Her passion began young and shaped her into the athlete she is today.

For most of her basketball journey, Avery has played point guard. Heading into her senior season, Avery has goals for herself.                                                                                         

“I have always played point guard my whole life,” she said, and she loved the leadership that came with it,” said Avery. ““Considering it’s my last season I want to lay it out there and push myself to see what I’m capable of.”

She likes how the position allows her to set things up, make reads, and create scoring opportunities for her teammates. But in her junior year of high school, she stepped into a new role. Her team needed her at shooting guard, so she shifted positions and found she enjoyed that, too.                                                                     

“I have loved being able to get into a position where I can use my scoring ability, and I get to run in transition more,” she said.

Outside of basketball, Avery’s schedule looks a little different than some players. She does online school, which allows her to get her work done in the mornings before practices and games. Her favorite class right now is her online college English comp course.                      

“I have found that I actually like writing essays,” she said.

Ragland credits her mom for helping her the most academically, always pushing her to be her best and helping her with projects through the years. The biggest challenge of being a student-athlete is keeping her mind on schoolwork during the season. Her thoughts naturally think of basketball and all it entails. The scouting reports, upcoming matchups, and how shes played. When things get overwhelming her parents are the ones who keep her grounded and motivated.

One of Avery’s favorite memories came years ago, when she won both a local and regional Jr. NBA skills challenge. The prize took her to New York City for the national finals and even to the 2018 NBA Draft.             

“It was an experience of a lifetime that I’ll never forget,” she said.