Head coach Clemon Johnson and the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team announced the commitments of brothers Jacob and Joel Rodgers Thursday.
The fact that they are coming to Alaska as a package is a surprise even to Johnson. He was in Tulsa, Okla., looking for a post player at a showcase tournament at Oral Roberts University. He had Jacob on his list of players to watch and happened to find Joel in an earlier game.
The Burleson, Texas, natives are one year and three months apart to the day. It was not until after the trip that Johnson found out that they are brothers.
“Joel played first, and his ability to rebound and handle the ball caught my attention,” Johnson said. “I was a little perplexed about his hesitancy to post up, but I felt I could utilize his ability to put the ball on the floor to get to the basket.
“Jacob is a strong rebounder and has the ability to score in the post,” Johnson said.
Jacob, the elder brother, is a 6-foot-6 center-forward who graduated in 2009. He averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and won the All-Academic Award as a senior. His biggest game came on senior night, when he racked up 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
He used his long legs to his advantage by joining the Burleson High School track team as a high jumper for a season.
After high school, he played in recreational leagues in hopes of earning his way into a college program.
Joel stands an inch shorter at 6-foot-5 and played power forward. He was named Defensive Player of the Year, first team All-District, first team All-County and Academic All-District as a senior in 2010. He averaged 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game.
Joel also played baseball for four years and competed in track for three. He pitched and played shortstop and outfield on the diamond, and high jumped and jumped hurdles on the track.
“I called to offer Jacob a scholarship, and I was informed Joel was his brother,” Johnson said. “My excitement continued to grow when I discovered Jacob and Joel were recent high school graduates. They were battling with JUCO players and looked good.”
The Rodgers brothers will travel nearly 4,000 miles north to play for the Nanooks this fall. They always dreamed of playing college ball together, and one day in Tulsa granted them that wish.
“These young men will be an essential part of the Alaska basketball program's growth and development,” Johnson said. “I am looking for a solid contribution from Joel and Jacob this year and in years to come.”
