Advertisement

But after high school, Cramer's dreams started to fade. "As college started, I realized these were going to be my last four years of playing basketball," Cramer said.

While at Hope College, he majored in elementary education with social studies composite and began to look towards a future in education instead of hoops. "I knew that I wanted to do something with youth for a long time and this was a strong choice," he said.

During his collegiate basketball career, Cramer played on many strong teams and earned many awards including league MVP and All-America honors.

"It was a great to be acknowledged for my hard work but winning league and tournament titles were some of the greatest accomplishments that someone could ask for because you can't do anything without the team."

Cramer said when he was in college, he kept working hard and by his second year in college he started playing against professional basketball players from other parts of the world.

"I started to think that it could be possible for me to play basketball for a living again," he said.

Cramer added he was able to play with and become friends with many college players who played basketball professionally.

"One of my good friends, Greg Immink, put in a good word for me with the team he used to play for and that is how I got to play in Germany my first year," Cramer explained.

Cramer recently returned to Michigan from Germany, where he played for the TB Weiden Cocoon Baskets professional basketball team.

"I had a successful first season, leading the league in scoring and plan on playing overseas for at least two more seasons and then evaluate myself from that point on as to whether or not I will continue that career."

He added his experience in Germany allowed him to see a different culture and to travel to many different places that he would've never had the chance to visit and see.

"I feel like I was truly blessed to be able to play basketball and see a new part of the world," Cramer said.

"If you told me five years ago that I would just be playing basketball for a living, I would've said you were crazy," he added.

Still desiring to work with local youth, Cramer is preparing for a summer basketball camp from June 9 until June 12.

Cramer said the great thing about the camp is he has some great help coming in.

"Not only will there be some USA high school athletes attending, but I also have a few college athletes and even a few professional players coming in to help out as well," he said.

He added the more kids that come, the more of these players he can bring in to make the camp even better. "I guarantee the teaching will be top quality and certain players will speak each day, talking about the importance of hard work, teamwork, integrity and discipline," he said.

"I want the campers to be able to not only learn fundamentals to improve their basketball game but to hear things that will help them become a better person off the court as well."

Registration for the camp can be downloaded at www.stephencramer.com under the Camps icon or you can visit the school's website.