There are people in this world who just fit. Doesn't matter where they are or who they are with, they just fit in any situation. Chattanooga Mocs sophomore Ramon Vila is one of those people.
 
Vila began his college career at Arizona State. After a year, he looked for a better basketball situation. That turned out to be with the Mocs arriving in January 2018. It didn't take long for teammates to identify with the Barcelona, Spain native.
 
We asked Duane Moss how long it took for Ramon to fit. The quick response was "as soon as he got here. He'd get on the court and just throw up ridiculous shots that were going in. Then he'd start talking smack immediately.
 
"Then we knew he was our guy."
 
How does "everyman" match Ramon's persona?
 
"He is just so out-going," Moss continued. "He doesn't care. He'll approach some he doesn't even know and just start a conversation about literally anything in the world."
 
So Vila assimilated very quickly with the 2017-18 team. With basically a new roster this year, how has he jelled with so many new faces and personalities?
 
"Ramon has an open mind," freshman point guard Maurice Commander shared. "He wants to be friends with everybody and is real positive. Being from a different country is real fascinating knowing two different languages because I'd like to be like that too.
 
"I feel like he can fit in anywhere."
 
This was an interesting exercise coming up with a word for the personable Vila. To some, "fiery" seemed appropriate because of the passion with which he plays the game. There are those that thought funny worked, while others went with knowledgeable or kind.
 
He is a veritable smorgasbord of personalities. Just about anyone can feel like Ramon is one of them.
 
"I'm kind of used it," Vila stated in response to why anyone can feel like he is a part of their particular world. "I'm out-going, I don't judge people either…I just try to understand everyone and make friends easily.
 
"I always try to help people if they struggle with studies or basketball or whatever. I guess that's why I had so many different words. I'm different with everyone in their own way."
 
It's a special person who can fit in with so many different types of people. It's obvious from his time in Chattanooga that he has a passion for the sport, but it's just as obvious he has a passion for the team as whole – players, coaches, even support staff.
 
Everyman it is. But only because "international man of mystery" is more than one word.
 
Everyman: the typical or ordinary person. Merriam-Webster (Editor's note: he's anything but typical or ordinary)
 
Everyman: In literature and drama, the term everyman has come to mean an ordinary individual with whom the audience or reader is supposed to be able to identify easily. Wikipedia
 
IN A WORD
David Jean-Baptiste – Engaged
Thomas Smallwood – Dad
Rod Johnson – Mayor
Kevin Easley – Goofy
Justin Brown – Waffle
Jerry Johnson, Jr. – Buckets
Jonathan Scott – Energy
Keigan Kerby – Hair
Duane Moss – Dwight
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday, Dec. 21 vs. Bryan, Noon
Saturday, Dec. 29 at UNCG, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 3 at Western Carolina, 7 p.m.
 
TICKETS
Tickets throughout the season can be purchased on GoMocs.com or by calling (423) 266-MOCS. Fans can also stop by the Gate 1 ticket office at McKenzie Arena. Purchases made on GoMocs.com can be printed at home bypassing ticket lines.
 
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