Rod Odom is headed West.
“I am an Arizona Wildcat,” the 6-foot-8, 210-pound Odom, a senior from Long Island who plays at Concord (Mass.) Middlesex, said by text.
Reach by phone a little after 6 p.m., Odom said he made the decision “about 10 minutes ago.”
Odom chose Arizona over Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Boston College. He is ranked No. 88 overall in the Class of 2010 and No. 19 among small forwards.
“IÂ was real close to going to Vanderbilt last night but I’ve been talking it over with my mom and my dad and we made that decision,” Odom said.
Odom is a long, athletic wing who is also a strong student. He considered some elite academic schools, including Harvard and Vanderbilt. On the court, he can guard multiple positions and play several on offense.
“I’m just looking to do whatever it takes to win,” he said. “Just come in and be ready. I’ll probably play the three or the four and that’s pretty much it.”
Odom becomes the latest New York player drawn to the West Coast by head coach Sean Miller and assistant Book Richardson, a New York native.
“The faith that the coaching staff had in me was a big factor,” Odom said. “Arizona is a prestigious school in terms of basketball. Those two things put together is what did it for me.”
He added: “Book, he was a big factor. It wasn’t just him. It was all the coaches. I liked every single one of the coaches. I would say it was all of the coaches.”
Last year, Richardson and Miller persuaded New York natives Kevin Parrom and Lamont “Momo” Jones to sign with the Cats, and more recently Harlem junior wing Sidiki Johnson committed. Johnson is now at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark.
“I say it’s a testament to the coaches to be able to get someone like Sidiki or myself or Kevin or Momo to come out there because it’s not exactly a car ride out there,” Odom said. “The New York guys who are there defintely have faith in the coaching staff.”
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JessieWildcat / October 7, 2009
AZ,
Great news. Always atop of the latest on recruiting.
Rod made an excellent choice.
He will have a great career at Arizona and become a future ARIZONA WILDCAT.
Bear Down.
PS- One more is coming.
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JessieWildcat / October 7, 2009
Future Wildcat which will do great things.
I can see him in the NBA within 2/3 years.
In BOOK , we TRUST.
Note:
Rod Sr…great decision.
Hope to you ,and JR ,maybe, at the Red/Blue game.
Many NYC players will be there.
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jhawk4 / October 7, 2009
hey zona fans.
how many scholarships does arizona have for the class of 2010?
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UAWildcat / October 7, 2009
UA has 2 scholarships for 2010. I hope Odom is willing to take an academic scholarship so we can get 3 recruits for the price of 2.
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TheFinger / October 7, 2009
zona will be called the “little apple” if this trend continues. great to have you on board young man and best of luck this year. you put alotta smiles on alotta cats today. hopefully daniel bejarano joins the crusade in the coming days.
go cats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 26 in-a-row lurking ’round that corner.
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pastaboy / October 7, 2009
Rod who?
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JessieWildcat / October 7, 2009
Finger,
That is funny, “little apple”.
All that is needed are more resturants.
Would like those roast beef sandwiches.
But, NYC area is developing some very good players and ’11 has looking very good.
But, there has been discussions that the ARIZONA ’10 recruiting class could go to FOUR commits. (through scholies, academics, other pck options.)
Note:
Daniel who?
The De-Commit from Texas.
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Big Ben / October 7, 2009
Any confirmation that Terrence Jones is now planning a Kansas visit on Oct 23 instead of Arizona? The Wildcats Rivals site is supposedly reporting that Self finally called Jones back and set up the visit?
This story isn’t approaching Stephenson’s level yet, but for a guy that wants to decide this fall he’s certainly changing his mind a lot.
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jhawk4 / October 8, 2009
finger–
not to burst your bubble, but the “little apple” nickname has already been taken by our friends from manhattan, KS.
i would be all in favor of giving arizona the “little apple” and changing manhattans to the “sour apple” or “rotten apple” or “apple with a worm inside.”
also, about Jones. if in fact arizona does only have 2 scholarships and odom already has one (again, assuming he doesnt get an academic one) would arizona go after jones still? or would they want a guard so they dont recruit 2 guys at the same position?
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JessieWildcat / October 8, 2009
Come on Woody…Hawk,
With this commit and the forthcoming commit ,by Monday or sooner….
Arizona had plenty of time to review the RO situation (weeks of discussion)
Arizona has various options with the visiting recruits.
In the Miller system, a player will be assigned various positions (ie.,3/4-RO)
So, 2 guys at the same position does not apply.
(That line sounds very familiar).
I have used that line to describe OKL:
Clark and TJ…..two players for the same spot.
Where is TJ going on Friday?
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JessieWildcat / October 8, 2009
Would YOU agree on the OKL situation and TJ?
Clark and TJ are very simliar and both are SF.
TJ would not want to play the 4.
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aznemesis / October 8, 2009
also, about Jones. if in fact arizona does only have 2 scholarships and odom already has one (again, assuming he doesnt get an academic one) would arizona go after jones still? or would they want a guard so they dont recruit 2 guys at the same position?
All the reports and speculation I have seen is that Arizona will possibly take 3 commitments, despite only having two scholarships open right now. I guess they’re counting on a transfer/early departure. I don’t know. With Odom and (probably) Bejarano (a SG) committing, that would mean #3 would have to be someone they really wanted. Whether that someone is Jones or not, I’m not sure. It would seem like they needed a big or a PG, though.
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davidpk19 / October 8, 2009
Pasta who? Listen Fatboy, shut the hell up before you step in hot water!
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davidpk19 / October 8, 2009
Arizona would take 3, 4 or possibly 5; if they are the right five – as 5 star caliber recruits.
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pastaboy / October 8, 2009
LOL ……. this guy couldn’t make Cal’s practice squad ….. a total stiff ….. can’t wait for the season to start so the topic isn’t a number 88 recruit with no moves.
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RockChalkWoody / October 8, 2009
Jessie, according to TJ’s mom Oct 23rd is either an official visit to the Mildcats or the Jayhawks–they’re still undecided. However, the loser will still stay on his list.
Do you think that the Odom commit will weigh on his decision?
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JessieWildcat / October 8, 2009
Woody,
But, do YOU mean, Sept 23?
(TJ would rather visit the SuperCats instead of Kansass Gangster U.)
The RO commit was not news to TJ and Linda.
TJ is a very confident individual. I surely enjoy seeing this quality from TJ.
Arizona has a role for TJ that he would welcome,wholeheartly.
And as AZ pointed out, there are other things at play.
The NW recruits have always been able to flourish at Arizona.
One of my favorites are Jason Terry, Mike Dickerson,Cousins…
The next couple of days shoud be exciting…
Note:
I am under the impression express by David ,above…..The 2010 recruiting class would be 4 (or 5) through scholie, acad,, other pck options.
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JessieWildcat / October 8, 2009
Sorry about that Woody.
TJ’s: Official visit date of Oct. 23.
Added Note:
Another way of looking at it….TJ and Clark are MUCH MORE simliar than TJ and RO. RO maybe coming in at 6-10 or taller, his freshman year.
TJ is a very skilled player for which the Arizona’s system would be a great FIT, irrespective.
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Big Ben / October 8, 2009
Amazing that as wired in in the WEST as Jessie is he heard about TJ considering cancelling his ARIZONA visit from a NEW YORK blog (and then hilariously argued about it before he researched and found the facts). Good stuff.
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UAWildcat / October 8, 2009
Where did you see that Terrence Jones was reconsidering his offical visit to Arizona. I have not seen that yet.
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Big Ben / October 8, 2009
Scout and Rivals are both reporting that he’s considering going to Kansas Oct. 23 instead of Arizona.
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JessieWildcat / October 9, 2009
Little Ben ,
I am heading back from the Dodger, earlier, and the Angel game.
You comments are rather amusing.
You have no idea as to where TJ may end up. Maybe you have the top3…
Have you heard about Bejarano?
One recuit at a time.
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UAWildcat / October 9, 2009
Thanks Ben I saw the report a little after I posted that. If Arizona landing Odom means we miss out on T. Jones I will be disappointed but Bejanaro committed so that’s a plus.
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