Rick Bodiford, former Grenadier guard, signed his first professional contract with the Quebec Kebs of the National Basketball League of Canada.
Bodiford graduated from Eastern High School in Middletown, Ky., in 2005 and went on to play for the Grenadiers from 2005 to 2007 and from 2009 to 2011.
The 6-foot-4-inch guard is No. 8 on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,400 points. He finished with 583 rebounds and 170 assists, making the KIAC All-Conference team last season.
He was part of the starting five during the 2010 -11 season for a total of 32 games, averaging 17.6 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game and a field goal percentage of 53.2.
Wiley Brown, IUS men’s basketball head coach, said Bodiford’s athleticism is what got him noticed.
“He can play point guard, shooting guard and off guard,” Brown said. “He’s athletic enough to do all three — coaches like that.”
Brad Zellner, IUS men’s basketball associate head coach, said he thinks Bodiford works hard on the basketball court.
“He is always the best player,basketball-wise,” Zellner said. “He’s a very good athlete and tremendous hard worker.”
Brown and Zellner said they both hope to see Bodiford continue to improve in Quebec.
“The sky is the limit for Rick,” Brown said. “He’s got to work on his shooting. He’s got to be a consistent 3-point shooter. That’s the only thing holding him back right now,” Brown said.
Zellner said he hopes Bodiford continues to live his dream.
“I just hope to see him continue to be the best he can be,” Zellner said. “Continue to do what he already does. He’s living the dream as he likes to call it.”
Brown and Zellner said they both plan to follow up with Bodiford after graduation.
“He only has 15 hours left to graduate, and we’re going to stay on him until he does graduate,” Zellner said. “Basketball isn’t going to last forever — a college degree lasts a lifetime. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t stay on him for that.”
Brown said he hopes to keep in contact with Bodiford.
“I absolutely plan on keeping up with both Jazzmar Ferguson [former Grenadier] and Rick Bodiford after graduation,” Brown said. “I stay in contact with those guys, two guys that are the bigger face of our program right now.”
As for the Quebec Kebs as a team, Brown said he believes their roster is full of some real talent, however, the whole league will be talented.
“It’s going to be a really good competition, especially with the NBA having a lock out right now,” Brown said. “People are starving to see basketball, so I think the fans are going to come out and support them.”
Zellner said he had plenty of encouraging words for Bodiford and his future with the Quebec Kebs.
“I just hope he continues to be the player he is on the floor, as well as the person he is off the floor,” Zellner said.
By TAYLOR FERGUSON
Staff
tayfergu@ius.edu
