- November 25, 2024
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Mainland's Rodney Rhoden signs his national letter of intent to play for Long Beach State at a signing ceremony at Mainland High School. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland senior Rodney Rhoden can’t remember a time when he wasn’t playing basketball.
“I grew up with a ball in my hands,” he said.
Basketball was a major focal point in his life, and a result, earning a college basketball scholarship was always one of his dreams.
On Friday, Nov. 16, at a signing ceremony in front of his classmates, coaches, friends and family at Mainland High School, that dream finally became a reality.
Rhoden signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for Division I program Long Beach State. He was first offered by the 49ers in July and had been committed to the school since Sept. 19. With the signing, Rhoden became the first Mainland basketball player to sign with a college team straight of high school in 23 years. The last to do so was NBA star Vince Carter, who played for North Carolina.
“I’ve always wanted to get a D1 scholarship,” he said. “It’s something my mom and I always talked about. It’s really exciting that we get to share this moment together.”
Rhoden said the interest Long Beach’s coaches showed in his personal life — not just his basketball prowess — was a big factor in signing with the team.
“They cared about me as a person — not just a basketball player,” he said. “That really stuck out to me.”
At 6-foot-5, Rhoden is an explosive athlete and playmaker. He has an ability to shoot from 3 and mid-range and is also an exceptional passer. He was also integral in a turnaround season for the Buccaneers in 2017-18, his first season with the team after transferring from Spruce Creek. He helped lead Mainland to a 21-8 record and a trip to the Class 7A regional final.
This upcoming season, Rhoden will play alongside fellow forward Johnny Brown (2019), guard Taron Keith (2020) and transfer guard Jordan Sears (2020).
“We have all the pieces to make it to the Final Four and win it all this year,” he said. “I’m very confident.”
