Roderick’s comeback a smashing success
Ben Roderick couldn’t have asked for a more satisfying senior season.
After suffering a seasonending torn ACL in February 2018, Roderick came back stronger than ever, racking up impressive statistics and, more importantly, leading Olentangy Liberty to its first state tournament.
The 6-foot-5 senior swingman was selected player of the year on the Dispatch Allmetro boys basketball team. Earlier in the week, he added first-team All-ohio honors to his resume.
“It’s been an incredible season in all aspects, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Roderick said. “Having not played since the injury, obviously, I came into this season with a chip on my shoulder. I felt like I had a lot to prove to myself and to a lot of other people.
“Everything I did was based around trying to make my team better. I really didn’t have any personal goals. We won the (Ohio Capital Conference) Buckeye Division and just kept on rolling. We knew we had potential to go far, but to actually make the final four, it’s kind of surreal.”
Roderick entered the state tournament averaging 27.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 55 percent from the field with a team-high 55 three-pointers.
Joining the smooth lefthander on the first team are junior Voncameron Davis of Walnut Ridge, senior Javohn Garcia of Pickerington Central, junior Christopher “CJ” Anthony of Harvest Prep and sophomore Jack Sawyer of Pickerington North. Players from schools in Franklin County and the six contiguous counties are eligible.
Where Roderick will play college basketball is the biggest question fans are asking. His recruitment was halted during his rehabilitation.
Many Mid-american Conference and mid-major programs have extended scholarship offers.
Ohio State leads Roderick’s wish list, but coach Chris Holtmann and his staff have just one scholarship to offer and it reportedly is being held for 7-footer Ibrahim Diallo of Prolific Prep in Napa, California. Diallo has narrowed his choices to Ohio State and Pittsburgh. The Buckeyes have stayed in close contact with Roderick throughout the process.
New Ohio University coach Jeff Boals offered Roderick on his first day on the job. More than a dozen members of Roderick’s family attended Ohio. Miami University, Iowa and Xavier also have been in frequent contact.
“I consider it a blessing just to be able to play college basketball,” Roderick said. “My complete focus has been on our season. After the season is over, I’ll sit down with my parents and we’ll examine things further. A decision probably will be coming in the next couple of weeks.”
The coach of the year is Ramon Spears of South, who guided the program to its first state tournament since 1986. The Bulldogs had losing records in 14 of 15 seasons before his arrival in 2010. In the past five seasons, they’re 120-25.