ARLINGTON – In his first season at the helm of the UT Arlington men's basketball program, Greg Young has signed three talented newcomers – all high schoolers from the Lone Star State – to join the Mavericks beginning next season: Damonze Woods, Terrance Ramirez and Brandon Walker.
 
Woods is a 6-7 forward from Amarillo High School in the Texas panhandle, Ramirez is a 6-1 guard from nearby Grapevine High School and Walker is a 6-7 forward from Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy.
 
"I am so excited about all of our early signees for the Class of 2022," stated Young. "My staff and I made it a priority to recruit the state and the DFW metroplex to begin the first full recruiting class of my UTA head-coaching tenure. I feel like we have signed three quality Texas high school student-athletes who come from tremendously successful high school and grassroot programs here in DFW and throughout the state. We are so excited to have these players and their families a part of our program."
 
Below is more information on each of the three signees, along with comments from Young and other coaches instrumental in their development.
 
DAMONZE WOODS
Bio Blast: Garnered 5A All-State honors last season following a brilliant junior campaign in which he led the Sandies to the UIL 5A state semifinals before dropping a heartbreaker to Dallas Kimball in overtime, 60-56. Beginning his senior season, Woods is anchoring an Amarillo High team that is currently ranked #3 in the state for 5A. Beyond Amarillo High, Woods played for Team Griffin on the Nike EYBL Circuit.
 
Young's Thoughts: "Damonze comes from one the best high school basketball programs in the state coached by Jason Pillion. Damonze is a powerful, strong, skilled forward who has proven to be a tremendous offensive rebounder and elite passer. He has a terrific upside and will add rebounding and toughness to our program."
 
Pillion's Thoughts: "I am very proud of Damonze and the opportunity he has at UT Arlington. Damonze has worked hard and is getting better each year. He's a very gifted athlete, a great teammate and a wonderful young man. He has been a big part of our success, and I'm excited to watch him be part of the success at UTA."
 
TERRANCE RAMIREZ
Bio Blast: A native of the West Texas town of Seagraves, Ramirez is entering his third season at Grapevine High a half hour north of the UTA campus. As a sophomore in 2019-20, Ramirez was named Grapevine's Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Mustangs in scoring, assists and free throw percentage. Ramirez plays his AAU ball for 3D Hoops Empire.
 
Young's Thoughts: "Terrance is another very good metroplex player from Grapevine led by Michael Seibert. He also played on a traditional grassroots powerhouse 3D Empire coached by Shawn Ward. Terrance is a terrific point guard who can play with speed and create plays for others. He also has the ability to score at all three levels – at the rim, in the mid-range and beyond the arc."
 
Ward's Thoughts: "We are excited that Terrance has the opportunity to continue his student-athlete career at UTA."
 
BRANDON WALKER
Bio Blast: Walker averaged 14 points and seven rebounds per game as a junior last year in helping lead Oak Cliff Faith Family to a third-straight 4A state semifinal appearance. Walker also earned Second Team All-State honors in addition to All-District accolades. He is currently the #19 ranked player in Texas by the TB5 Basketball Report, the #21 player by Texas Boys Basketball and the #34 player by the Texas Basketball Review. Walker plays his AUU with Urban DFW Elite.
 
Young's Thoughts: "Brandon comes from perennial state powerhouse and one of the best basketball programs in the DFW metroplex Faith Family coached by Brandon Thomas. He played grassroots basketball with Urban DFW which is traditionally one of the best programs in not only the state but the country. Brandon is a big, strong, powerful forward who brings a skill set to play both inside and out. He can stretch defenses with his ability to shoot and drive, but is also a tough, powerful rebounder."
 
Thomas's Thoughts: "Brandon is an exceptional student-athlete – we've never had to be concerned with him taking care of his business. Whatever we ask of him, whatever is required of him, Brandon tries to go above and beyond, and that starts in the classroom. Playing college basketball has always been a dream of his, and we've seen him transform his body and his game to help him reach that point. Brandon is a team-first guy, will do what the coaches require of him and most importantly he's a winner. He's going to represent our program, the metroplex and his family in the right way at UTA, and we're excited to see the next step in his journey."
 
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