April 26, 2006

Pocatello, ID --- Rodrick Rhodes, a former first round NBA draft pick who played collegiately at both Kentucky and Southern California, has been named an assistant coach at Idaho State University, joining Geoff Alexander and Steve Swanson, announced head coach Joe O'Brien. The hiring completes O'Brien's first Bengal coaching staff.

Rhodes comes to Idaho State from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, where he served as an assistant coach for the Hilltoppers, helping St. Ed's to a 21-9 record, the Heartland Conference regular season championship, and a spot in the Division II National Tournament.

Rhodes, 32, played parts of three seasons with the Houston Rockets, Vancouver Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks after getting selected with the 24th choice of the first round in the 1997 draft by the Rockets. Rhodes averaged 5.8 points in 58 games for the Rockets in his rookie season, starting 13 games. Rhodes retired after the 1999-2000 season.

Rhodes played for three seasons under Rick Pitino at Kentucky, scoring 1,209 points before leaving the Wildcats and transferring to USC for his final season, where he scored 350 points, giving him 1,559 in his collegiate career. Rhodes played in the NCAA Tournament all four of his season, including helping Kentucky to the 1993 Final Four, where the Wildcats lost to the Michigan Wolverines in overtime 81-78. Rhodes was SEC All-Freshman in 1993, 3rd Team All-SEC in 1994, and 2nd Team All-SEC in 1995. After transferring to USC, Rodrick won the Fred Hessler Award Winner as Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year.

"Rodrick's basketball career as both a college and professional player have allowed him to develop contacts and friendships throughout the United States and around the world, which will be extremely beneficial to us in regards to recruiting," said O'Brien. "I am very excited to have Rodrick join and complete our basketball staff. I feel very fortunate to have Rodrick, Steve, and Geoff with me as we look to take ISU basketball to the next level."

Rhodes won a USA Today National Championship in 1988 at St. Anthony's High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was a McDonald's All-American in 1992, a three-time Parade All-American, and a USA Today First Team All-American.

After his stint in the NBA, Rhodes played in Athens, Cyprus, Greece, the Philippines, France, and Puerto Rico, and he also founded the Rodrick Rhodes Basketball Camp in Richmond, Texas.