The University of Louisville men’s basketball program and head coach Pat Kelsey announced the signing of transfer guard Kobe Rodgers to the 2024-25 roster on Wednesday.
The 6-3 guard reunites with Kelsey after spending his junior season at the College of Charleston. Rodgers previously played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Nova Southeastern, a private Division II school in Florida. He plans to redshirt next season as he recovers from a leg injury.
“Kobe Rodgers has been a winning player at every level,” said Kelsey. “Every championship team has guys with Kobe’s character in its core. He is an incredibly efficient player who contributes to winning on both ends of the floor: a terrific defender with an offensive game that continues to develop. His athleticism jumps off the screen when you watch him. He’s a great student and a fantastic human being.”
During the 2023-24 season with the Cougars, Rodgers averaged 21.7 minutes per game, scoring 9.7 points and grabbing 4.6 rebounds per contest. He appeared in 31 games, starting in 18, and shot an impressive 50% from the field, including 45% from beyond the arc. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native had 15 games with double-digit scoring, including three games where he scored over 20 points.
Before his time at Charleston, Rodgers played two seasons with the Nova Southeastern Sharks. In his sophomore season, he started every game, helping lead the team to a DII national title with a perfect 36-0 record. Rodgers averaged 13.2 points per game, highlighted by a 21-point performance in the national semifinal. He also recorded 73 steals and 142 rebounds that season.
As a freshman at Nova Southeastern, Rodgers started 19 games and appeared in 20, averaging 8.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game. He shot 42.4% from the field and scored in double figures nine times.
Rodgers had a standout high school career at Saint Xavier High School in Cincinnati under head coach Mike Noska. He was the runner-up for Mr. Ohio Basketball and a finalist for Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. Additionally, Rodgers earned First-Team All-State honors, was named District Player of the Year, and was the Conference Co-Player of the Year.
Rodgers’s addition to the Louisville roster is expected to bring experience, defensive prowess, and offensive efficiency, further strengthening the team under Kelsey’s leadership.
