College basketball coaches are constantly searching for ways to strengthen their rosters, whether through recruiting top talent or making unconventional moves. But Wisconsin-Green Bay HC Doug Gottlieb’s latest decision has left fans more confused than excited.
The Green Bay Phoenix head coach has made headlines after adding 29-year-old prospect Ramel Bethea to his squad. This move has sparked heated debate about whether experience outweighs youth or if this is simply a publicity stunt.
Ramel Bethea’s Late NCAA Start Sparks Debate in Basketball Community
Age is a major talking point for athletic talent, but it’s not necessarily the biggest problem—it’s more about how effective Ramel Bethea will be at the Division I level.
At 29 years old, Bethea is set to be the oldest player in Division I college basketball for the 2025-26 season. While experience can be an advantage, fans are questioning whether his late start in basketball and lack of high-level competition will hold him back.
Physically, Bethea stands tall at 6’9” with a 7’4” wingspan. That’s impressive. But he only began playing organized basketball in the military and later at MiraCosta College, a junior college in San Diego, California. His stats there were solid. But then again, Nikola Jokic, who won the 2024–25 NBA MVP last night, is two years younger than him.
MiraCosta College (JUCO) transfer Ramel Bethea has committed to Green Bay.
After Ramel graduated HS in 2014, he grew from 6’3” to 6’9” and has a 7’4” wingspan.
Post HS he enrolled in the Navy and served multiple years in the navy.
This past season he enrolled at MiraCosta… pic.twitter.com/XvcD3Klk9h
— Arman Jovic (@PDTScouting) May 15, 2025
The reaction across social media and forums has been a mix of doubt, frustration, and mockery. On Reddit, one fan bluntly stated, “I don’t think the age of the roster is the issue with your results, Doug.”
In his first season coaching the Phoenix, Gottlieb’s squad finished the year 4-28, winning only two Horizon Conference games. Before he took the job, Gottlieb was notably a basketball analyst for several media outlets, a gig he retained throughout his first year of coaching.
Some critics also raised concerns about Gottlieb’s coaching commitment, with one user sarcastically responding to a comment about his part-time coaching role: “Nah, bro, you don’t get it. So much publicity for so little work.”
UWGB basketball coach Doug Gottlieb, hoping to add age to roster, finds 28-year-old prospect Ramel Bethea
byu/PorcelinaMagpie inCollegeBasketball
The Horizon League’s competitive standard also came into question, as one fan urged UWGB to move on from Gottlieb. “He needs to leave the Horizon League and college basketball in general. You and our conference deserve better.”
Some are even raising a finger at Gottlieb’s leadership. Some speculate that UWGB simply can’t afford a coaching change, leading to frustration over whether the program is prioritizing publicity over real performance.
A user summed up the situation with an ironic observation, writing, “Surely the publicity can’t be good enough to endure those kinds of results. They made a mistake, and they’re doubling down.”
RELATED: Green Bay HC Doug Gottlieb Signs 29-Year-Old Navy Vet With 7’4″ Wingspan
Moreover, comments like “What a 🤡” and “Looks like I still might have a chance 🤔” highlight the sarcastic tone of the discussion.
Now, amidst all of this, the hope is that the energy Gottlieb saw in 6’9″ Bethea will translate into results when the regular season starts. Otherwise, more backlash could be on the horizon.
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