Recruiting Report: David Roddy (2019)
David Roddy is a top three prospect for both football and basketball in the 2019 class. That puts him in a very small category of talented people.
There are only a few guys that have been elite football and basketball prospects in the last several years in Minnesota. Guys like Michael Floyd, Brad Davison, Ryan Iverson, and Everette Pedesclaux are the only ones in the last 20 years that are in that same category of talent. And none of them were as highly rated in Minnesota in BOTH sports.
Roddy just finished an EYBL season where, as a junior-to-be, he missed averaging double figures by four baskets total for the season. The Pulley Panthers played a total of 45 games and over that total Roddy was a double-figure starter playing along side three future Gophers and five star Tre Jones.
“This was the best AAU season I’ve ever had I think,” Roddy said. “It was a great season getting to know a bunch of great guys and building lasting friendships with them also.
“The biggest takeaway was just the experience of playing against future lottery picks and also just improving my game mentally. These last four months I had to grow up as a basketball player because my teammates needed me to.”
In the 20 games in EYBL/Peach Jam play that Roddy was a part of he averaged 9.6 points shooting 51.4 percent from the field as a small forward while also hitting 30.4 percent of his threes and 60 percent of his foul shots. It was a much larger contribution than most would of expected. And Roddy put everyone in Minnesota, and now outside of the state on notice.
Last winter at Breck High School Roddy averaged 18.3 points and led a young Mustangs team to a 19-10 record and the section final game. Expectations are higher for Roddy so he’s in the gym focused on what he can do better as an upperclassmen.
“I will be focusing on becoming a consistent three point shooter and just shooting in general,” Roddy said about his off-season of work. “Also, I’ll be working on my ball handling skills because at Breck, everyone is basically a guard so we all have to handle the ball well to succeed. And also just learning how to be a leader and how to positively encourage others.”
Breck returns four of their top guys from last year’s near 20-win team. Roddy, 2020 standout Kerwin Walton, guard Joey Ganley, and wing Josh Roddy are all back for Breck.
“Talent wise we have a lot,” David said. “We almost all of our keys players back and this group already has great chemistry and we’ve been playing together as much as we could over the summer so I’m excited.
“The goal is always the same every year for the team and that is to win the section final and make a run for that state title and I really believe this is the year for us. I’m very excited about it.”
Another thing Roddy is excited about is growing college opportunity. He has scholarship offers from Northern Iowa and North Dakota so far.
“Basketball wise I’m hearing from some closer schools like Miami of Ohio, Minnesota, Northern Iowa, and North Dakota of course, plus a few questionnaires from Marquette, Nebraska, and Central Florida,” Roddy said.
At 6-foot-6 and an agile 225 pounds Roddy is a beast on the football field. At Breck he’s the team’s best option to play quarterback so he does that, plays some defense, and punts.
“Football teams showing interest has been Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern, Penn State, NDSU, Stanford, and I think that’s it.”
Basketball is continuing to grow in the state of Minnesota but what about football?
“I believe Minnesota hoops are deeply underrated,” David said. “Just look at the division one talent that’s in the 2018 class and many classes before it. I believe we need to be given the respect that we’ve earned as a state for basketball.
“Football is continuing to grow. I love the atmosphere of Minnesota football but there are always ways to improve it and have a better experience in football.”
When you are one of the schools (and state’s) elite players in both sports expectations follow. How is Roddy ready to handle the expectations?
“Junior season is crunch time for recruiting so I’d like to get as many offers on the table as possible. That’s a personal goal. But overall my goal is to excel my team to the state tournament for basketball and overall have a great year. Also just improve my whole game.”