David Roddy Is Happy He Chose Basketball
For Atlanta Hawks’ David Roddy, being a multi-sport athlete in high school at Breck School in Minnesota helped him reach the position he is at today in the NBA. David participated in track and field, basketball, and football and was recognized in each sport. He was a finalist for Minnesota Mr. Football for his play at quarterback. He won the state discus championship title in 2019 and won second place for shot put the same year. David also was a finalist for Minnesota Mr. Basketball and the McDonald Award in his senior year.
Choosing basketball as his primary sport became apparent based on the offers he received. David wasn't keen on changing his position at quarterback to appease certain programs.
David Roddy - I was recruited highly in football and basketball. I was a quarterback in high school. You know, you see my frame and you don’t see a quarterback, per se. A lot of guys wanted me as a tight end or an athlete or whatever the team needed and that’s just not something that I was comfortable with. I knew my best position was quarterback. So only four schools offered me at quarterback. The rest of the big schools wanted me as anything else. And basketball, I basically had every mid-major in the country that you can think of and they just really sought after me. So I just went with my gut and winded up playing basketball. I have equal love for both, so it was a tough decision. But I’m glad I made the decision that I can talk to you now.
Hawks’ head coach Quin Snyder had high praise for David following his training camp and pre-season action saying, “David, I think his ability to drive the ball, pass the ball, defend multiple positions. There’s some versatility there. He understands how to play. He processes the game quickly.”
David’s experience with both team sports and individual sports shaped his approach to competing.
D.R. - I love competing, first and foremost. I think that’s what makes multi-sport athletes really special. And we didn’t hone in too early. So you know, you see some kids, they just play basketball and they burn out by the time they get to high school. You’re thrown into many different types of experiences, right? Like multiple movements. You know, football is just grit and physicality and all those things that you need in basketball for a team to win, and some basketball guys kinda just don’t have that, you know. They kinda finesse and everything and that’s part of the game. As well as track. Footwork in track, your balance, your core, everything. It really changes your perspective, too, cause you’re your own teammate. So you’re competing against yourself every practice, every rep. So that mentality also goes into skill development during basketball, too.
According to David, there are a couple of preferred nicknames for the young Hawks player…and they do not include “Big Body Roddy.” When I asked him what nicknames he has, he brought up the nickname social media has taken a liking to.
D.R. - I go by D. Rod. Everyone calls me ‘Big Body Roddy.’ That was a college thing. I don’t really care about that one anymore. But yeah, just ‘D. Rod’ or ‘Roddy,’ it doesn’t matter.
Choosing basketball as his primary sport became apparent based on the offers he received. David wasn't keen on changing his position at quarterback to appease certain programs.
David Roddy - I was recruited highly in football and basketball. I was a quarterback in high school. You know, you see my frame and you don’t see a quarterback, per se. A lot of guys wanted me as a tight end or an athlete or whatever the team needed and that’s just not something that I was comfortable with. I knew my best position was quarterback. So only four schools offered me at quarterback. The rest of the big schools wanted me as anything else. And basketball, I basically had every mid-major in the country that you can think of and they just really sought after me. So I just went with my gut and winded up playing basketball. I have equal love for both, so it was a tough decision. But I’m glad I made the decision that I can talk to you now.
Hawks’ head coach Quin Snyder had high praise for David following his training camp and pre-season action saying, “David, I think his ability to drive the ball, pass the ball, defend multiple positions. There’s some versatility there. He understands how to play. He processes the game quickly.”
David’s experience with both team sports and individual sports shaped his approach to competing.
D.R. - I love competing, first and foremost. I think that’s what makes multi-sport athletes really special. And we didn’t hone in too early. So you know, you see some kids, they just play basketball and they burn out by the time they get to high school. You’re thrown into many different types of experiences, right? Like multiple movements. You know, football is just grit and physicality and all those things that you need in basketball for a team to win, and some basketball guys kinda just don’t have that, you know. They kinda finesse and everything and that’s part of the game. As well as track. Footwork in track, your balance, your core, everything. It really changes your perspective, too, cause you’re your own teammate. So you’re competing against yourself every practice, every rep. So that mentality also goes into skill development during basketball, too.
According to David, there are a couple of preferred nicknames for the young Hawks player…and they do not include “Big Body Roddy.” When I asked him what nicknames he has, he brought up the nickname social media has taken a liking to.
D.R. - I go by D. Rod. Everyone calls me ‘Big Body Roddy.’ That was a college thing. I don’t really care about that one anymore. But yeah, just ‘D. Rod’ or ‘Roddy,’ it doesn’t matter.
