Roderick Anderson hasn't made a trip back to his hometown, Baton Rouge in over a decade. His grandmother understands and you will, too when Anderson describes what he experienced as a 9-year-old boy, "I saw a man kicking down my door trying to rape my mother".
It was an experience which motivated Anderson to improve his life for his family. He never wanted any woman to experience that again, much less his mother, wife, or his young daughter. Anderson used basketball to change his life and others. After becoming an all-American for Angelina College in Lufkin, TX, former Texas Longhorns men's basketball coach, Tom Penders offered Anderson a full scholarship. Roderick starred at UT as the Longhorns point guard in the mid-1990's.
After playing professional basketball overseas, Anderson discovered another passion. Training and coaching the next generation of basketball stars in Austin by founding Ultimate Basketball Training.
Roderick has a new passion through the UBL. Training and mentoring the son of former Texas defensive back, Greg Brown II, who played for Mack Brown in the early 2000s. Brown and Anderson are both from Baton Rouge, LA.
The younger Brown, Greg Brown III is a 6' 7" soon to be freshman at Vandegrift High School. He is already on the radar of major college basketball programs. That early attention doesn't phase Brown, "I got to step up my game. These college coaches can pick you and release you in a second. I have to bring my A game". That realization and maturity is a result of guidance from Roderick Anderson.
During a conversation between Anderson and Greg Brown III, Roderick told his talented pupil, "Gregory, I would not trade anything or how I grew up. I love the city of Baton Rouge. It taught me love and that's what I'm giving you. Leadership and love".
Valuable life lessons from Greg Brown III's adopted uncle.
During my interview with Anderson, I asked him "Is this (Greg Brown III) an NBA type of player we're looking at. Anderson said, "I'll tell you like I tell everybody, Shawn. God willing and he remains injury free, you're looking at an NBA prospect".
But, there's at least 5-years before any N.B.A. dreams will become a reality.