Recruiting Report: River Rhoads (2017)
Class of 2017 post player River Rhoads of Ladue High has followed the perfect role model for his development as a basketball prospect. Former teammate and close friend Mark Rogers was one of the area’s top players as a senior…
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Continue ReadingClass of 2017 post player River Rhoads of Ladue High has followed the perfect role model for his development as a basketball prospect.
Former teammate and close friend Mark Rogers was one of the area’s top players as a senior at Ladue last season. The 6’6″ Rogers developed from a skinny freshman jump shooter to a muscular power forward who averaged 25 points a game last season. He will be a freshman at Truman State University.
The 6’6″ Rhoads is following a similar path at Ladue. Once a skinny freshman forward who could shoot 3-pointers, Rhoads is now a robust 200-pounder with a more physical style of play. Like Rogers, Rhoads has been dedicated to the weight room during the off-seasons.
“Mark Rogers really got me going in the off-season,” Rhoads said. “He gave me his weight training plan. I’ve just been grinding in the gym and working in the weight room.”
The added strength and productivity on the court has garnered Rhoads some early collegiate interest from schools such as Division II schools Maryville and Quincy and Division III Millikin.
Rhoads did an excellent job at the recent Lindenwood University Team Camp in leading the Rams to the championship game. He did an excellent job using his strength and aggressive play to finish around the basket with consistency. Not only was he posting up inside, but he got a lot done scoring on hard cuts to the basket. He did a fine job of moving without the ball with his cutting ability to the basket and to the high post.
“I’m pretty good at cutting to the basket and finishing through contact,” Rhoads said. “My freshman year, I was more of a pure shooter. As I got older, I started cutting to the basket more and posting up.”
As a junior, Rhoads averaged 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range. Those numbers should increase with his natural progression as well as the addition of senior point guard Zach Bush, a transfer from University City. He is spending his summer playing with the Missouri Hustle 17U team in the NY2LA League.