Rick Bodiford, communications junior, has come a long way to be a key player on the IUS men’s basketball team.
Bodiford grew up in Atlanta and moved to Louisville when he was a sophomore in high school. He said he met a coach in Georgia who told him how much bigger and more competitive basketball was in Kentucky.
“I wanted to play against the best, against people who wanted to take it to the next level,” Bodiford said.
He attended Eastern High School in Louisville, and in his first year, played on the same team as former Kentucky Wildcat and current NBA star, Rajon Rondo.
“I still workout with Rondo sometimes during the summer,” Bodiford said.
After graduating high school, Bodiford enrolled at IU Southeast and joined the Grenadiers. That season, he averaged 10.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
As a sophomore, his numbers were trending even higher as he averaged 18.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, but Bodiford only played half the season before moving back home to Georgia.
He said the academic aspect of college challenged him.
He transferred to Kennesaw State University and intended to play for their basketball team. He heard rumors about the head coach and decided it was not the place for him.
After a year off from school , he transferred back to IU Southeast for the 2008 to 2009 school year.
Due to his transfer, he was ineligible to play during the season, but was allowed to practice with the team. He said he used the time off to refocus his goals academically.
This year, Bodiford leads the team in rebounds per game with 4.6. and is third on the team in points per game with 11.3.
Wiley Brown, men’s basketball head coach, said Bodiford’s versatility is vital to the Grenadiers’ success.
“His athletic ability is crucial in our dribble-drive offense,” Brown said. “He can act as a sort of point-forward for us. He’s great at rebounding and blocking shots as well. Also, he is a great kid.”
Bodiford actually returned to IU Southeast in part because of the additions of Brown as head coach and Scooter McCray as assistant coach. Both were members of the 1980 University of Louisville championship basketball team.
“It was a good opportunity to learn from these guys,” Bodiford said.
During a game against St. Catharine College on Dec. 16, Bodiford sprained his wrist and still managed to tie his own season high in points with 18. He missed the next game due to the injury, but has not missed any time since.
Bodiford is pursuing a communications degree with a minor in psychology. He plans on graduating within the next year and wants to pursue a career in basketball after graduation.
He said basketball runs in the family. Bodiford’s cousin, Tony Williams, played for the University of Louisville and currently plays professionally in Italy. His younger sister, Jaylan Bodiford, plays basketball at Ballard high school in Louisville.
If a career in basketball doesn’t work out for him, Bodiford said he is hoping his degree, along with his experience in basketball, will translate into a career as a sports psychologist.
“I think I’ll be able to relate to the athletes because I’ve experienced a lot of the same things,” Bodiford said.
Like many college students, Bodiford said he enjoys playing video games. His favorite games are sports-themed, including “NBA 2K10” and “Madden NFL Football.”
Besides video games, he said he enjoys playing cards, particularly spades. Bodiford also said he likes shoes.
“I love shoes,” Bodiford said. “I love shopping for new shoes. My favorite shoes would have to be any pair of Jordans.”
Bodiford lives in an apartment complex off-campus, so he commutes to campus every day. He lives in the same apartment complex as one of his teammates and closest friends, Jazzmarr Ferguson, junior guard.
He said he’s happy to be back at IU Southeast, especially since he has improved academically.
“Now I get nothing, but A’s and B’s, and that’s the best thing,” Bodiford said.
By DERRICK HOLDRIDGE
Staff Writer
dvholdri@umail.iu.edu
