It's not easy being a father. It's not easy being a basketball player at the Division I level either. But doing both at the same time? That's a whole different challenge, but it's a challenge that San Jose State senior forward Ralph Agee relishes.
The 6-foot-8 product of Victorville, California, joined the Spartans last season after playing a season each at CSU Dominguez-Hills and East Los Angeles College. His transition to the Division I level went smoothly as he quickly found himself as a staple in San Jose State's lineup early on in his first season. But a bigger challenge was presenting itself off of the court in the form of entering fatherhood. Ralph welcomed his son, Kai, to the world, and that's when the real challenge began.
However, if the elder Agee was struggling on the inside from his newly appointed job as a father, he didn't show any signs of it on the court. In his first season with the team, Agee played in all 31 games and drew 13 starts while scoring at a 43.7 percent clip. He scored in double figures on five occasions with a season-high of 15 points against UC Riverside, and he tallied one double-double. That double-double couldn't have come on a bigger stage as it was inside Viejas Arena at San Diego State, where Agee's 12 points and 10 rebounds helped the Spartans to come within seconds of knocking off the Aztecs.
Now entering his second and final season with the program, Ralph and Kai Agee, who is now a 1-year old, will once again be a commonplace at the Event Center for the 2020-21 season - Ralph putting up numbers on the court and Kai cheering his father on from the stands. Read on to learn more about Ralph in this week's 1-on-1 feature.
Q: What is it like being both a father and a Division I basketball player?
RALPH: It is probably one of the toughest jobs, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I enjoy every last minute with my son and him being by my side when I play basketball makes things way easier.
Q: How has becoming a father helped you grow as a person?
RALPH: Being a father has taught me more patience and has given me even more reason to go harder at everything in life.
Q: What are your goals after graduation?
RALPH: I want to become a social worker for children and try to put as many children with the RIGHT families as I can.
Q: What is something that fans my not already know about you?
RALPH: My favorite music is classical and our team managers, Javon and Jon Jon, are GOATS.
Q: You had one of your best games of the season at San Diego State. How did it feel performing that well against a top-25 team on the road?
RALPH: I was just blessed that I was able to make those shots and that my teammates were able to find me.
Q: Did you expect to have as big of an impact in your first year with the Spartans when you first joined the program?
RALPH: No, not at all, but this is what my family and I have worked for.
Q: What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?
RALPH: I want to average a double-double.
Q: What type of training have you been working on recently?
RALPH: I've been trying to work on my touch around the basket and my shooting.
Q: What has been your favorite personal memory so far at San Jose State?
RALPH: Getting to play in front of my son.
Q: How do you feel you have grown as a player or person since first coming to San Jose State?
RALPH: I am more focused as a player and am mentally stronger.
