BEFORE NBA

Played four seasons at Kansas State where he appeared in 135 games (102 starts) and averaged 11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 27.4 minutes while shooting 45.2 percent from the field, 38.1 percent from three-point range and 75.9 percent from the foul line. Finished first in games played, second in consecutive starts (102), third in minutes played (3,708), fourth in three-point field goals made (135), fifth in double-digit scoring games (86), steals (116), and starts and seventh in scoring (1,576) and rebounds (654) on the school’s all-time lists. Was part of the winningest senior class in school history with 101 total wins and was just one of four Wildcat players to appear in four consecutive NCAA tournaments. As a senior, appeared in 35 games (all starts) and averaged 15.6 points (.442 FG%, .752 FT%), 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.26 steals and 33.5 minutes. Named to the All-Big 12 First Team. Named an Honorable Mention All-American. Selected to the Big 12 All-Championship Team. Named to the USBWA and NABC All-District Teams. Helped KSU win the 2013 Big 12 Championship. Won the team’s Rolando Blackman Most Valuable Player Award, the Tex Winter Top Offensive Player Award and the Fort Riley Never Broken Award at the end of season banquet. Capped the season starting in 102 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in school history. Led the team in points, rebounds, field goals made and minutes. Finished second on the team in steals, three-point field goals made and free throws made. As a junior, appeared in 33 games (all starts) and averaged 15.8 points (.463 FG%, .802 FT%), 5.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.15 steals and 32.9 minutes. Selected to the All-Big 12 Second Team. Named to the Spring 2012 Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Named the Big 12 Player of the Week on Dec. 27. Was named the MVP of the Diamond Head Classic. Recorded 10 games with at least 20 points, including three 30-point games. Led the team in points, field goals made, three-point field goals made and free throws made. As a sophomore, appeared in 34 games (all starts) and averaged 11.1 points (.439 FG%, .710 FT%), 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 30.6 minutes while shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range. Named to the All-Big 12 Third Team. Named to the 2010 Fall Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Led the team in rebounds, joining Desmond Davis (1994-95) and Keith Amerson (1990-91) as the shortest players on the team to lead the Wildcats in rebounding during a single-season since it began being recorded in 1950- 51. Finished second on the team in points, field goals made and three-point field goals made. His 33 games played were the second-most by a true freshman in school history. Scored in double figures seven times, including a season-high 20 points vs. Boston College on Nov. 19.

PERSONAL LIFE

Full name is Rodney Christian McGruder. Is the son of Rodney and Rudine McGruder. Has two brothers (Ricardo and Renaldo) and a sister (Rashaun). Graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in human ecology. When he’s not playing he likes to spend time with his family. Selected his parents as the people that have made a difference in his life because of how hard they worked to make sure he and his siblings never wanted for anything. Participated in the 24th Annual Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors during Memorial Day Weekend in 2018. The TAPS Good Grief Camp is an annual event for children who have lost a loved one who served in the Armed Forces, throughout Memorial Day Weekend the children share and learn coping skills through games, crafts and other activities in a fun and supportive environment, have a basketball camp and visit important military landmarks in Washington, DC. Started the Rodney McGruder Sports Initiative in 2017 at Georgia Jones-Ayers Middle School in Miami, the program is designed to introduce students to different professionals and careers available in the sports industry. Also met with students at Georgia Jones-Ayers Middle School in August of 2017 to emphasize the importance of reading. Lost his grandmother to cancer and now makes frequent visits to the Baptist Hospital Miami Cancer Institute visiting pediatric cancer patients. Attended Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. for three years before transferring to Arlington Country Day High School in Jacksonville, FL. His favorite sport other than basketball is football and he’s a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.