Desi Rodriquez
Grade B+
ESPN Profile
Desi Rodriguez
6-5, 200 | Class of 2014
3 Star
29 POSITION
25 REGIONAL
6 STATE
ESPN Analyst
Updated 05/07/2014
Strengths:
Rodriguez is a match-up nightmare because he's thick and powerful like an NFL tight end, increasing athletic with every passing month, and a versatile scorer who is equally comfortable operating on the block or handling the ball on the perimeter. The fact that he's left-handed only makes him that much more of an unorthodox match-up. He's and old fashioned three-point player who seeks out and finishes through contact on a consistent basis. He'll take the ball off the defensive glass to start the break and is a bit of a point forward type with his ability to make plays for himself and others.
Weaknesses:
The most glaring deficiency in his current offensive repertoire is his shooting range. He's much more of a consistent scoring threat inside of 15 feet and is going to need to prove himself capable of stretching defenses at the next level. He's also a volume scorer, who is going to need to prove efficiency with less touches and a more defined role. While he's versatile offensively, he's yet to establish a position for himself defensively.
Bottom Line:
He's a poor man's Anthony Mason in that he's a wide-bodied lefty who can make plays for himself and others either by handling the ball in the open floor or by operating from the low to mid-post.
MPG 26.0
PPG 12.4
RPG 5.0
APG 1.4
SPG 1.6
BPG 0.2
TOPG 1.7
.503 FG%
.690 FT%
.386 3P%
Went back and forth on this between a 5- and a 4+, eventually settling on the latter.
My reasoning was two fold, despite his superb season, one in which his stats screamed A- I had to lower that rating a bit because of his bench demeanor and his being replaced in the end game of close contests by Derrick Gordon.
Desi was one of the breakout players this season for the Hall. Shooting over 50% from the field and a dazzling .386 from the arc. The only league player to shoot that high a percentage from behind the line while making more that half his shots from the field.
But was it really that much of a surprise? I say no. Clearly Rodriquez was misplaced as a freshmen playing the 4. In the practices I attended before the start of his SHU career what we saw this year I saw last season. A dominating SF who was a nightmare matchup at that position.
Unfortunately we all know why he never once played the 3 in 2014/15 so there's no need to rehash that now.
Bottom line, for Desi to reach the next level he must work on his defense. It got better as the season progressed, but there's still room for improvement and consistency.
He must also work on his handle, especially going to his right. It's amazing and shows how talented he is when the defender knows he is going left almost exclusively and still can't stop him. Add that option and you could be talking about an All League player.
Finally Rodriquez must get better control of his emotions without losing the edge that makes him the warrior that he is. Desi plays with so much energy and desire that at times he can't turn that down when he disagrees with a coaching decision. Hopefully with maturity that issue will resolve itself.
Comments?
Grade B+
ESPN Profile
Desi Rodriguez
6-5, 200 | Class of 2014
- Hometown Bronx, N.Y.
- School Lincoln High School
- Position Small Forward
- Status Signed Seton Hall 12/23/2013
3 Star
29 POSITION
25 REGIONAL
6 STATE
ESPN Analyst
Updated 05/07/2014
Strengths:
Rodriguez is a match-up nightmare because he's thick and powerful like an NFL tight end, increasing athletic with every passing month, and a versatile scorer who is equally comfortable operating on the block or handling the ball on the perimeter. The fact that he's left-handed only makes him that much more of an unorthodox match-up. He's and old fashioned three-point player who seeks out and finishes through contact on a consistent basis. He'll take the ball off the defensive glass to start the break and is a bit of a point forward type with his ability to make plays for himself and others.
Weaknesses:
The most glaring deficiency in his current offensive repertoire is his shooting range. He's much more of a consistent scoring threat inside of 15 feet and is going to need to prove himself capable of stretching defenses at the next level. He's also a volume scorer, who is going to need to prove efficiency with less touches and a more defined role. While he's versatile offensively, he's yet to establish a position for himself defensively.
Bottom Line:
He's a poor man's Anthony Mason in that he's a wide-bodied lefty who can make plays for himself and others either by handling the ball in the open floor or by operating from the low to mid-post.
MPG 26.0
PPG 12.4
RPG 5.0
APG 1.4
SPG 1.6
BPG 0.2
TOPG 1.7
.503 FG%
.690 FT%
.386 3P%
Went back and forth on this between a 5- and a 4+, eventually settling on the latter.
My reasoning was two fold, despite his superb season, one in which his stats screamed A- I had to lower that rating a bit because of his bench demeanor and his being replaced in the end game of close contests by Derrick Gordon.
Desi was one of the breakout players this season for the Hall. Shooting over 50% from the field and a dazzling .386 from the arc. The only league player to shoot that high a percentage from behind the line while making more that half his shots from the field.
But was it really that much of a surprise? I say no. Clearly Rodriquez was misplaced as a freshmen playing the 4. In the practices I attended before the start of his SHU career what we saw this year I saw last season. A dominating SF who was a nightmare matchup at that position.
Unfortunately we all know why he never once played the 3 in 2014/15 so there's no need to rehash that now.
Bottom line, for Desi to reach the next level he must work on his defense. It got better as the season progressed, but there's still room for improvement and consistency.
He must also work on his handle, especially going to his right. It's amazing and shows how talented he is when the defender knows he is going left almost exclusively and still can't stop him. Add that option and you could be talking about an All League player.
Finally Rodriquez must get better control of his emotions without losing the edge that makes him the warrior that he is. Desi plays with so much energy and desire that at times he can't turn that down when he disagrees with a coaching decision. Hopefully with maturity that issue will resolve itself.
Comments?
