Rams targeting JUCO PG

As Colorado State continues to experience success on the basketball court, the Rams are also doing their due diligence on the recruiting trail. CSU (11-0) has four commits in the 2015 so far, and have one more scholarship left for the 2015-2016 season.

It should come as no surprise that some of their main targets in the 2015 class are junior college prospects, given CSU's recruiting history under head coach Larry Eustachy and assistant coach Ross Hodge's ties in the juco ranks. CSU already has South Plains College big man Emmanuel Omogbo in the fold for the 2015 class. But the Rams are also recruiting Jones County Community College teammates Leroy "Truck" Fludd and Bryce Jones and New Mexico Junior College big man Kimani Jackson.

A new name has surfaced with regards to CSU, and he's off to a torrid start thus far. Mike Rodriguez of Marshalltown Community College, a sophomore point guard, is having a banner-year. Marshalltown is 15-3 thanks to the play of their dynamic point guard. Through 18 games, Rodriguez is averaging 23.3 points, 6.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. He's scored at least 20 points in 15 of his 18 games, and has recorded five double-doubles (points and assists). He's shooting a solid 47% from the field and averages 9.8 free throws attempts per game. Those are astounding figures, given his 5-foot-10, 170 pound frame.

CSU has really benefitted from strong point guard play from redshirt sophomore John Gillon this season, but as the roster currently stands, Gillon will be the only true point guard on CSU's roster next season. That's why Rodriguez is receiving interest from CSU.

Rodriguez had a solid freshman season (16.7 ppg, 4.3 apg and 1.9 spg), but he's taken his production to a new level this season. He attributes his success to taking on a leadership role as the starting point guard and Marshalltown head coach Brynjar Brynjarsson's player development. "My team wasn't as together as I'd like last year, because some of them that left I think I were okay with not winning as much," Rodriguez shared. "So I promised myself I wouldn't let that happen with me being the starting point guard from day 1. This year I know what it feels like to lose close games you're supposed to win and I don't like that feeling. Everyone likes each other when we're winning, everything just feels positive so I can say that's the only difference and having pride and more confidence in feeling like I can take my team to that next step. I owe my head coach Brynjarsson a lot for helping me grow."

As far as his recruiting process is going, Rodriguez is garnering interest from Cal-State Fullerton, Colorado State, East Tennessee State and Manhattan. Recently, Missouri and Utah State have inquired about Rodriguez and are starting to get involved. But two schools stand out for Rodriguez. "Colorado State and Manhattan are recruiting me the hardest," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said Colorado State started getting involved prior to the start of the season, when assistant coach Steve Barnes attended a Marshalltown open gym. A factor that helps CSU's case is their Latinos on the roster. J.J. Avila (Mexican), Daniel Bejarano (Mexican) and Gian Clavell (Puerto Rico native) are all double-digit scorers for CSU this year. "Most of my life, I've been the only Latino kid on my teams," Rodriguez shared. "It definitely would be fun to play with fellow Latinos like me."

In terms of his strength's on the court, Rodriguez explained what he excels at and what he needs to continue to work on. "My speed on defense and offense," Rodriguez said. "I feel like my strengths are attacking the rim and making plays off that. I also feel like I'm pretty good In transition too. I feel like my jumper has gotten a lot better since high school but I want it to be at another level to be even more of a threat."

Rodriguez is going to let the season play out, then focus on recruiting. He plans on taking official visits and deciding on a school in the spring. His focus is on Marshalltown and making the NJCAA Tournament. Given his production and team success and CSU visiting him before the season started, the Rams stand in great position moving forward.