Cedar Rapids Jefferson senior Ky Kramer probably could have found a home for himself in the Iowa Conference next season and played college basketball at the NCAA Division III division, but he'd like to compete even higher than that someday.

That's why Kramer has committed to Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge.

"Hopefully I can get looks there and go on and play at a higher level," he said Saturday. "I felt like the junior college route was the best way for me to go."

Kramer, a 6-foot-2 wing player, was a three-year starter at Jefferson and helped the J-Hawks make the Class 4A state tournament in 2011 and 2012. He averaged 5.0 points as a sophomore, 9.3 points as a junior and 12.9 points this season.

Kramer scored 648 points in his career and made 86 3-pointers. Jefferson compiled a 45-26 record during his three years on the team.

Kramer was named first team all-Metro and first team all-Mississippi Valley Conference this season.

He helped Jefferson reach the state tournament in 2011 when Jarrod Uthoff, now at Iowa, was the star of the team. He helped the J-Hawks return in 2012 when Taylor Olson, now at Kirkwood Community College, was the leading player on the squad.

Kramer said the highlights of his career came during those two campaigns. "Probably going to state back-to-back and beating Cedar Falls in the substate finals my junior year," he remarked.

Kramer has a good outside shot, but he also developed his inside game this season because the short J-Hawks needed his help around the basket. He thinks he's a better all-around player now after battling inside this year.

"I think it did help," he remarked. "I can finish down low a little better now."

Kramer's uncle, Chad Helle, is one of the assistant basketball coaches at Iowa Central. He said Helle played a role in his decision, but it's not entirely why he chose Iowa Central.

"It did a little, but it wasn't my main factor," he said. "There were a bunch of things that factored into it. It's a good team. They've always done well in the past."