Get to know Colorado State star wing David Roddy

May 25, 2022 c_admin NBA News Comments Off on Get to know Colorado State star wing David Roddy

David Roddy looks like an NFL tight end, but the Colorado State standout has a unique set of skills that can help him become an NBA player.

Growing up in Minnesota, Roddy was actually a standout high school quarterback. While he could have played football in college, he opted for the hardwood, and the decision has paid off thus far. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% on his 3-pointers in 2021-22.

It is not uncommon for NBA prospects to flaunt their versatility as a strength, but few are able to check as many boxes as Roddy. He is the rare three-level scorer who can finish efficiently either at the rim, from the midrange or from beyond the arc.

Roddy is also one of just two prospects (NCAA, G League, or international) with more than 30 possessions attempting to score as both the ball-handler and as the screener in pick and roll sets, according to the Synergy database.

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He was also able to add positive value as a good positional rebounder and playmaker with above-average court vision and a low turnover rate.

There are some physical concerns about Roddy, who measured at just 6’4.5″ without shoes at the NBA Draft Combine. However, his 6’11.5″ wingspan may allow him to guard larger opponents. Meanwhile, although his body fat percentage is relatively high, he performed very well in athletic testing.

His lane agility (10.75 seconds) ranked in the 89th percentile. His three-quarter sprint (3.22 seconds) and his max vertical (35.5 inches) both ranked in the 60th percentile or better, via Stadium Speak.

Roddy’s shot wasn’t falling during five-on-five scrimmages at the combine, and several publications (including The Athletic and ESPN) believe it may have hurt his draft stock.

However, I believe he showed improvement as a defender — especially with his lateral movement while switching on the perimeter — and his passing was on full display as well.

My biggest takeaway from Chicago: Due to his height, at the next level, Roddy is someone who likely has to play at the wing and not the frontcourt (like he has in college). He will need to trim down even more than he already has but fortunately, he isn’t slow-footed at all, and he has enough length to hold his own when he does get switched onto bigger players.

He is currently testing the waters of the NBA draft, leaving the option to return to college and potentially instead turn pro after next season. He caught up with For The Win, explaining more about the pre-draft process so far and how he sees his own game.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

David Roddy: After the season, I went out to Phoenix. I’m doing lots of workouts, strength, and conditioning, focusing on my game and polishing it up. It’s been a lot of work, but I’m focused on consistency with our strength coach, Chuck Howard, who is the father of Nuggets guard Markus Howard. He’s such a great and high-energy guy, so it’s a lot easier to run sprints when performing for a guy like that. We are doing lots of functional movement, lots of sprints, and getting the body moving more than traditional squats and deadlifts. My body fat is the lowest it’s ever been, and I’m happy about that. I’m eating healthy and focusing on what I need to work on in the draft process.

Roddy: You should draft me because I have been developing in my 3-point shooting. It’s been skyrocketing over the past few years. My overall development has been skyrocketing over the past three years. I can make an immediate impact on winning games at a young age. I can do many different roles on a basketball court. I make winning plays. I can guard one through five, which is needed in the NBA right now.

I know that I can play well within a system and play well with run and gun. Being a machine with my consistency is the goal with my jump shot. I’ve improved so much even since the season ended. I play with desperation on defense and try not to allow my guy to get the ball in the first place. I make winning plays as well, like setting charges and boxing out. Those are things that are super important to winning. I can contribute to a winning team early in my career. I feel like I will have to go through learning everything first. I’m always curious how defense rotates in the new style of play the NBA has, so I’m excited to learn. But I trust myself and all the work I’ve put in over the past few years.

Roddy: It was a blessing to go to Colorado State because we’re required to do everything else besides have the ball in our hands. I can screen well. I screen hard. I cut very hard and unselfishly. I understand the game enough to understand that having a great cut gets another guy wide open. That’s the unselfish play that I love to do. I rebound and have a knack for the ball defensively. I’m super physical, and I can guard big guys. I don’t need the ball for that. I knock down corner 3-pointers. That’s one thing I’ve been improving on. Every part of the game that’s not involved with the ball, I do pretty well.

Roddy: The most tangible player within an NBA system that I think I can mold myself into is Grant Williams. He is doing really well on the Boston Celtics, knocking down corner 3-pointers. He can guard one through five. He can guard Jrue Holiday and Giannis in the same possession. Humbly, I think I use my ball-handling and playmaking more than he does. But when you have Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on your team, you don’t need to handle the ball as much. I know what I can bring to the game. I try to model myself after Draymond Green as well. He’s such a great vocal leader and defensive player that their small ball isn’t small because he plays like he is 7-foot. He is such a great passer, too. I definitely try to study both of those guys as much as possible.

Roddy: I bring a very unique set of skills and athleticism to the game. I’m very good in tight spaces, as you can see in my game film. I had a lot of post-ups and a lot of close defenders on me, and I managed very well in those positions. I can use my strength in space, as well. That’s one thing the NBA has a lot more than in college. I’m able to defend smaller guys and stay in front of them, and I can use my strength and balance against bigger guys. I use my strength with rebounding and defending, but I also use it with passing to make sure they’re sharp. I’m able to get my shot up and high.

There’s not a lot of spacing in the college game to use my athleticism, especially vertical-wise. I’m a big guy, but I have a lot of athleticism, agility, and verticality. A lot of teams need that.

I think my physical strength is a talking point for me, but as a competitor, I think my mental toughness is just as strong. I know that’s going to be a huge thing as a professional basketball player.

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Roddy: It’s really important to me. I’ve been thrust into that role since high school. I took leadership classes. I started clubs. I was a team captain in all the sports I played; football, basketball, and track. I learned from my experiences. It takes experience to be a good leader. learned how to be a leader and actually develop good relationships with the people who are your teammates.

I think that’s one huge thing. People have to like you. Sometimes, they’ll get upset or frustrated with you. But there is always that mutual respect where you show someone you want what’s best for them as well. I’ve learned a lot of different leadership styles. It comes pretty naturally to me, but there is always room to improve and room to learn, so I’m always ready to learn.

Roddy: It was from growing up in Colorado State’s system. We have so much versatility. I played basically the four or the five, so outside the 3-point line or as the five-man setting the screen. That’s a bunch of reps with our development coaches, Ali Farokhmanesh and JR Blount, who is now at Iowa State. They helped me improve my guard skills and passing skills within the pick and roll — setting the screen and using it. Those both come naturally to me now, and making the right reads is something I do pretty well. I’m just super excited to have that at a higher level in the NBA.

Roddy: Those are all my guys. Those are my peers. I couldn’t be happier for Jalen Suggs, Chet Holmgren, and those guys who pushed me to be a better basketball player. We played against each other in high school. We played against each other in AAU. When the summer comes, we all have such high regard for each other and respect for each other’s games. We play five on five and learn from each other as much as possible. It’s really special coming from Minnesota. You feel the support from the community wherever you go. There is always going to be that connection. We’re Minnesota guys. We did it together, and it’s an important part of my career and everybody else’s.

Roddy: Oh my goodness, yeah. I’m the youngest of five boys. The gap is six years across all five of us. We all grew up together. It was very, very competitive. Our games used to get really intense. We always played out in the driveway, and I always wanted to beat my older brothers, even if I was six years old. So having that drive and desire to win at a young age definitely formed my competitiveness today. I hate losing, especially to them. I think I have the crown of the best basketball player in the family now. [Laughs] But my oldest brother will argue that until the day he dies.

Roddy: I listen to a lot of music. All the Atlanta rappers are taking over. I like R&B, Giveon and Brian McKnight are some of my go-to’s right now. I’ve been drawn to music since I was a little kid. I love hanging out with friends. There are so many fun things to do in Fort Collins. You can go outdoors. You can go on a hike. You can go to a family-owned restaurant and learn more about the city. I’m interested in photography. I took some classes in high school, which sparked that interest, so I’ve been trying to carry that on through college.

I love hanging out with my family as well. My mom is my best friend. She is my superhero. She’s been there through thick and thin. She wants to take care of me as much as possible. She’s taught me how to be the young man I am today. She’s the adult I want to be in the future. She’s my biggest inspiration and my biggest motivation to do things right.