Recruiting Report: Joel Rogers (2019)
2019 guard Joel Rogers served a deep ball role for an athletic and deep Melbourne Central Catholic this past season.
The Hustlers went 26-4, falling in the Class 5A region final to eventual state runner-up Trinity Catholic.
Rogers called his junior year a great learning experience.
“It was a privilege to go against Division I and high level college athletes in practice every day. I had to earn my minutes and to me, that’s a great feeling,” he told Prep Hoops Florida. “Knowing we were so deep in talent pushed me further and got me better.”
The 6’3″, 195-pounder is a combo guard who is viewed as a shooting guard by college programs with his range and production.
Rogers has no offers yet, but he’s drawn interest from Liberty, Barry and a few smaller schools. He says Liberty has been watching his game since his freshman season and the coaching staff keeps in touch with him on a weekly basis.
He’ll be running with Team Speights for the rest of the summer.
“They have built a great program that promotes winning and gives their players exposure,” Rogers said. “I am looking forward to whatever God has planned for me this summer.”
Deep in his faith and family, Rogers says nothing would be possible without God and his family along the way.
He points to his biggest strengths as his work ethic, willingness to learn, shooting ability and deep range.
“I think it goes beyond all that. I think the mindset that I take into every day to get better is what sets me apart. Whatever I’m going to do I’m going to be all in,” Rogers said. “I’m all into this dream that I have. God has given me the opportunity to play basketball so I’m going to take advantage of it. I have this dream in my heart and there is no reason why I can’t make it happen.”
Ball handling and on-ball defense are two aspects of the game that Rogers says he’s improved but he wants to continue to better them.
Consistency was there for Rogers this past season and I fully expect for his role to mature with more opportunities as a senior. His arc on his shot whether it’s from deep or the mid-range is very fluid.