Prep Scene
A while back, an article written by this columnist was published in the MSR about current NBA players from the metro area. Ironically, one of the most productive former metro players in the NBA this season was not mentioned. That player was former Breck School and Colorado State University alum David Roddy.
Roddy, a 6’5” 255-pound forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaged 6.7 pts, and 2.8 rebounds, teaming with former Apple Valley High School and Duke University standout Tyus Jones (10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists), leading them to the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoff series, before losing the to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Roddy was quite a student-athlete before becoming one of the more productive rookies in the NBA this past season. He starred as a three-sport prep athlete excelling in football, basketball, and track and field.
During his final year in the prep ranks Roddy earned all-state honors as a quarterback for the football team, averaged 29.7 points for the basketball team, and completed his senior year by winning the state Class A discus title in track and field.
After graduating in 2019, he made the choice to focus on basketball, and accepted a scholarship to Colorado State, becoming one of the most decorated players in school history. Averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, being named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, and leading the Rams to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2013, Roddy declared for the 2022 NBA draft.
He was the 23rd pick of the draft before being traded to Memphis. Roddy’s career-high was a 24-point effort in a 112-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks in March.
In a homecoming game of sorts, he scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds in a 109-101 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in November at Target Center.
It seems as if Roddy’s choice to focus on basketball was a wise one.
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