Rodriguez was Salem’s best player this season and led them to a state championship. The 6-foot-2 guard is a beast athletically and relentlessly attacks the defense downhill all game. He has great quickness, and he can finish with both hands effectively at the rim. If you go under screens, he’s able to make you pay from three, and he has an ability to find teammates for pocket and cross court passes as well. Rodriguez, if he stays at Salem, will be one of the best players in the MIAA next season, especially after the experience he gained from the big games he played in this year.

Rodriguez, a junior out of Salem, had a season for the ages while helping his team win the school’s first state championship in boys basketball since 1997. The Most Valuable Player of the Northeastern Conference, Rodriguez became just the 4th 1,000-point scorer in Salem history this winter. A crafty scoring guard, he showed the ability to get to his spots off the bounce out of ball screens, to score it at a high level in transition, and to make shots in bunches in catch and shoot situations. With plus length, he was a talented finisher around the rim, showing good burst in getting there and the ability to finish over size with touch. On the other end, his activity level in passing lanes led to plenty of run outs and easy scoring opportunities in transition.

Rodriguez had a finals’ performance for Salem that he’ll remember forever. The junior guard hit a three on the first possession of the game, and he never looked back. He was extremely aggressive all game, whether it was getting all the way to the rim, stopping short at the free-throw line for pull-up jumpers, or punishing defenders when they went under screens. Down the stretch, he hit a huge three to put Salem over the top, and he was his squad’s most important player during their championship run. Rodriguez is an awesome player, and he’ll have a decent argument as the best player in the MIAA to start next season.

Rodriguez has some plays that really stick out in my mind because of his exceptional burst and athleticism. For the MIAA level, he completely throws off defenders with his first-step quickness and ability to explosively elevate at the rim. He does a great job finishing off the wrong foot and with weird layup angles and both hands, and his three point shot is what sets up those drives more than anything else. Rodriguez could have a big game against a Hanover defense that might not have an awesome cover for him.

Rodriguez had a big-time performance last night against a tough Charlestown defense. The 6-foot-2 guard was simply too quick for the CHS guards to handle—he consistently got to the front of the rim and showcased the ability to finish with comfort and confidence, especially with quick, wrong-footed layups with his right hand. He has a knack for throwing off the defense with his footwork, and he’s long and athletic at the hoop. Rodriguez will look to lead Salem to a final 4 with one more win.

Rodriguez is a three-level scorer who puts tons of pressure on the rim but can also make you pay from long range if you don’t get a hand up. The 6-foot-2 guard has above-the-rim athleticism, and he’s willing to take contact at the hoop. But he also makes good reads at the rim and can set up his teammates for easy shots. He’s a key player for Salem HS, who I think will win the championship this season.

Rodriguez, a junior guard out of Salem, has continued to impress with his ability to score the basketball while increasing the impact he has on winning basketball games this winter. After bursting onto the scene as a sophomore, when he scored 50 points in a game, Rodriguez has shown that he’s capable of scoring 25+ on any given night and, on January 20th, etched his name into the Salem record books, becoming the 9th player in program history to surpass the 1,000-point mark for his career. He’s a long, 5’11” guard that has the ability to make plays with the basketball in his hands or to move off the ball and score it in bunches from behind the arc. He plays at different speeds, knows how to get into his mid-range game off the bounce, and is capable of scoring with creativity around the rim.

Rodriguez was Salem High School’s most consistent driver and creator in an impressive win against St. Mary’s in front of their home crowd earlier this week. The 6-foot-1 guard is a righty, but he’s equally comfortable driving with both hands and does a good job finishing with both. Against St. Mary’s, they packed the paint against him and made him kick out to teammates, which he did effectively and confidently all night, many of which were live-dribble, one-handed dimes. He also picked his spots to score from both the perimeter and the mid range, as well as showcasing some impressive finishes in the paint. Rodriguez is a key cog for a Salem High School team that might be the best team in MIAA’s D3 (or maybe just the entire state?), and he will find a D3 fit when the time comes.

Rodrigues, a combo guard out of Salem High School in Massachusetts, is a big time scorer that knows how to put the ball in the basket at multiple levels. A long, lean, and slippery scorer, he took his game to another level this winter with his ability to make plays off the bounce and finish through contact at the rim. He’s a good finisher in traffic, has some creativity off the bounce, and is able to stop on a dime and elevate in the mid-range. His offensive game is smooth and look almost effortless at times, as he’s ultra confident in big moments. On the other end, he has the ability to make plays in passing lanes, while also showing a willingness to rebound in space.