Player who led VCU to 2011 Final Four will have jersey retired
Oct 29, 2024
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Men's Basketball legend who led the team to its most significant moment will be honored by the university in November.
Joey Rodriguez -- who started as point guard for the Rams from 2007 to 2011 and led the team to its appearance in the 2011 Final Four -- will have his No. 12 jersey retired when the Rams host Elizabeth City State University at the Siegel Center on Nov. 29.
Rodriguez has the third-most assists and steals in VCU Men's Basketball history, he also ranks fifth in 3-pointers, sixth in free throw percentage and 22nd in points. He averaged 9.6 points, 4.1 assists and 1.7 steals across 142 games and 124 starts for the Rams.
During the 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, he led the team to its first appearance in the Sweet 16 with 12 points, 11 assists and zero turnovers against No. 3 Purdue before recording 10 assists and three steals against Florida State in the Elite Eight to lead the team to the Final Four.
"Joey Rodriguez played a critical role in a seminal moment in VCU's history, the 2011 Final Four run. Beyond his performance during that wonderful March, he established himself as one of the best point guards ever to wear a VCU uniform," said VCU Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin. "Joey's all-around numbers certainly earned him an elite place in VCU Basketball history and distinguished him to a place to have his jersey retired among the VCU greats. I'm thrilled to welcome him back home so we can raise his jersey into the Siegel Center rafters forever."
Rodriguez's number will be the eighth retired by the team, behind Eric Maynor, Calvin Duncan, Bradford Burgess, Treveon Graham, Gerald Henderson, Kendrick Warren and Charles Wilkins.
"I am so honored to go in the rafters with some of the all-time greats here at VCU,” Rodriguez said. “I have so many people that helped me through this journey, and I am excited for them to join me on this day. I want to thank my teammates and coaches. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible."
Tickets to the game, which tips off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, are on sale now and can be found here.