Rod Grizzard

Full Name: Roderick DeWyane Grizzard
Position: Guard
Height/Weight: 6-8 / 200
Birthdate: June 13, 1980 (Birmingham, AL)
High School: Central Park Christian HS (Birmingham, AL)
College: Alabama

BACKGROUND
Participated in training camp with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. Played with the Westchester Wildfire in the USBL in the summer of 2003, averaging 8.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13 games. Spent 2002-03 season with the Mobile Revelers in the NBDL. Appeared in 49 games, averaging 5.5 points and 2.6 rebounds. Participated in training camp with the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks in 2002. Drafted by the Washington Wizards in the 2nd round (#39 pick overall).

Early entry candidate for the 2002 NBA Draft. Finished collegiate career as Alabama’s 13th leading scorer of all-time, with 1487 points. Ranks fifth all-time in three-point field goals made and seventh in free throw shooting percentage. Played in 100 career games, starting 94 times.

As a junior, averaged 14.1 points and 6.1 rebounds. Started 34 of 35 games. Ranked in the SEC Top 15 in both scoring (15th) and rebounding (14th). Scored season-high 33 points against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on Mar. 8, shooting 13-for-20 from the field including 6-for-10 from three-point range. Recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds to go along with seven assists, two blocked shots, and two steals against Alabama A&M on Dec. 21. Led team in scoring and rebounding with 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds at Georgia on Jan. 16. Paced team with 17 points in NCAA Tournament second round loss to Kent State on Mar. 16. Earned Third Team All-SEC, All-SEC Tournament, and AP Honorable Mention All-American honors, and was a Wooden Award finalist.

As a sophomore, averaged 17.0 points and 6.1 rebounds. Started all 36 games. Total point total of 611 ranked seventh-best in school history. Ranked second in the SEC in scoring. Scored 20 or more points 15 times and posted four double-doubles. Made the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team by scoring 78 points in three games, including a season-high 29 points against Northern Iowa on Dec. 20. Tallied 27 points against Mississippi State on Jan. 13. Notched a 25 point, 11 rebound double-double against Kentucky on Jan. 23. Was named to the All-SEC First Team.

As a freshman, averaged 13.2 points and 5.1 rebounds. Started 24 of 29 games. Was second among SEC freshman in scoring, fourth in rebounding. Scored 20 or more points in five games. Recorded two double-doubles on the season, with a season-high 26 point, 10 rebound effort against Florida on Jan. 22 and a 13 point, 11 rebound game against Vanderbilt on Feb. 12. Named SEC Player of the Week and ESPN National Player of the Week after scoring 25 points against on Feb. 22 and 14 points against Tennessee on Feb.26 – both upset wins for Alabama. Led team with 18 points in season-ending loss to South Carolina on Mar. 9 in the SEC Tournament.