Rodriguez’s No. 12 VCU jersey to be retired

Joey Rodriguez and Shaka Smart. 
Photo ESPN. 

Note: From Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D.:

The VCU great, who helped lead the Rams to the 2011 Final Four, will have his jersey retired on Nov. 29 when the Black and Gold host Elizabeth City State, VCU Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin announced Tuesday.   

 

“I am so honored to go in the rafters with some of the all-time greats here at VCU,” Rodriguez said. “I have so many people that helped me through this journey, and I am excited for them to join me on this day. I want to thank my teammates and coaches. Without them this wouldn’t be possible. I also want to thank Dr. Michael Rao and Ed McLaughlin for the recognition and their leadership at a place I love and will always call home. I can’t wait to see everyone at The Stu. Go Rams!”

 

"Joey Rodriguez played a critical role in a seminal moment in VCU's history, the 2011 Final Four run. Beyond his performance during that wonderful March, he established himself as one of the best point guards ever to wear a VCU uniform. Joey's all-around numbers certainly earned him an elite place in VCU Basketball history and distinguished him to a place to have his jersey retired among the VCU greats. I'm thrilled to welcome him back home so we can raise his jersey into the Siegel Center rafters forever," said McLaughlin.

 

A four-year starter for the Rams from 2007-11, Rodriguez ranks third in program history in career assists (580), third in steals (237), fifth in 3-point field goals (211), sixth in free throw percentage (.802) and 22^nd in points (1,362). In 142 career games, including 124 starts, Rodriguez averaged 9.6 points, 4.1 assists and 1.7 steals. He also owns the program record for assists in a single game with 17 on Nov. 12, 2010 against UNC Greensboro. He also scored 22 points and committed just two turnovers in that contest. 

 

But Rodriguez will be best remembered for helping spearhead VCU’s charge to the 2011 Final Four when he averaged 9.0 points, 7.7 assists and 1.7 steals in six NCAA Tournament contests. Rodriguez propelled the Rams into the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history behind a splendid 12-point, 11-assist, zero-turnover performance in a win over third-seeded Purdue. He followed up with 10 assists and three steals in an Elite Eight triumph over Florida State. Rodriguez posted an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.8-to-1 in the NCAA Tournament that March.

 

A two-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, Rodriguez spurred the Rams to a pair of CAA Tournament Championships and four postseason appearances during his career. Rodriguez led the CAA in assists per game in both 2009-10 and 2010-11.

 

A native of Oviedo, Fla., Rodriguez later served as VCU’s Director of Player Development during the 2017-18 season. He is currently entering his seventh season as an assistant coach at Florida International.

 

Rodriguez’s jersey will be the eighth retired by the Rams in program history, joining Eric Maynor (No. 3), Calvin Duncan (No. 5), Bradford Burgess (No. 20), Treveon Graham (No. 21), Gerald Henderson (No. 22), Kendrick Warren (No. 23) and Charles Wilkins (No. 40).

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