The Journey: Kyle Rode
With the 2019 season winding down, I’m catching up with Seniors as they reflect on their road to college basketball. I recently talked with Lexington Christian Senior Kyle Rode. Kyle is likely to end his career as the all time…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2019 season winding down, I’m catching up with Seniors as they reflect on their road to college basketball. I recently talked with Lexington Christian Senior Kyle Rode. Kyle is likely to end his career as the all time leading scorer in Lexington history after playing 5 seasons of varsity basketball at LCA. Kyle has scored 2,408 points with at least 3 games left in his high school career. The city record is 2,495. He sits at 991 rebounds as well and should break the 1,000 rebound mark this week if he hasn’t already by the time you read this. In addition to individual success, Rode has led LCA to their first ever All A State Title as well as their first ever district championship and a berth in the 11th region tournament.
More importantly than that, Kyle has proven himself to be a great young man with a bright future beyond the basketball court. I have a heavy bias because I’ve been around Kyle since the 8th grade but he is one of the best kids I’ve been around in my time in basketball. Now, Kyle reflects on how he grew up in the game of basketball and eventually landed on his decision to play his college basketball at Liberty.
- What’s your earliest basketball memory? When did you realize you had so much love for the game?
I always had a love for the game even when I was really young. I always wanted to dribble in the house, shoot in the driveway, and play in Rec leagues! I really started to get serious and play AAU at 7 years old, and haven’t stopped since!
- When did you think you were good enough to earn a college scholarship? What made you think that?
As I kept working hard and developing as a player, a college scholarship was always the goal! Probably around the 7th grade I thought I really had a shot to get a free education because of basketball! I had a love for the game and a great basketball IQ that really made me think I could play at the next level.
- Is there one particular play or special game that stands out in your mind? Why does it mean more to you? (Can be any level from Upward to high school)
Winning an All A state championship for the first time in school history was awesome. It had been a goal of mine and the team for 4 years at that point and to fulfill that dream and win was a great feeling!
- When did you know you were ready to commit and what drew you to Liberty?
After completing my Junior year of HS ball and the Spring live period I was ready to commit. The Liberty coaching staff was at every game that Spring and also saw me 7 times that high school season! The relationship I developed with the players and coaches really drew me to Liberty! Also the Christian aspect to Liberty was very appealing, and my family and I felt like I could develop as a basketball player and a student in a special way at Liberty!
- If you could give basketball or life advice to younger you, what would it be and why?
I would definitely say do things that others aren’t willing to do! Whether that is putting in extra work in the gym, or giving time to help others. It is the little things that make the biggest difference, and ultimately making a positive difference is bigger than anything you can do on the court!
- If a high school freshman asked you how to reach the next level, what would you tell them?
It takes faith, hard work, and a determination/belief in yourself to want be the player you can be.