Kobe Rodgers: Louisville basketball player profile
With a continued look into the 2025-26 Louisville Cardinals basketball roster, the third player in our basketball profile series is Kobe Rodgers.
Previous player profiles: Sananda Fru, Mouhamed Camara
Kobe Rodgers, who’s going into his redshirt senior season, was unable to play last season due to a knee injury he suffered against Alabama in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. During the 2024-25 season, Rodgers spent his time rehabbing and recovering, but with the 2025-26 season around the corner, he will be ready to make an impact for the Louisville Cardinals.
The Ohio native has had an unusual career path during his college career, first starting at Nova Southeastern (DII). He played there for two seasons, winning a national title during his 2022-23 season and being honored as a Division II All-American.
After winning a national championship, Rodgers entered the transfer portal and signed with the College of Charleston for the 2023-24 season. During his lone season at the College of Charleston, Rodgers averaged 9.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, according to College Basketball Reference.
Furthermore, once Pat Kelsey took the Louisville job following the loss to Alabama in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Kelsey brought in three players from College of Charleston, Rodgers being one of them.
Pat Kelsey’s thoughts on the Kobe Rodgers Signing
After signing with Louisville in May 2024, coach Kelsey had the following comments on Rodgers.
“Kobe Rodgers has been a winning player at every level. 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.”
Kobe Rodgers Offensive Scouting Report
What stands out about Rodgers is his versatility on the offensive end.
He is flexible with his ability to play with and without the basketball. His approach is infectious, as he has an unselfish demeanor and wants to make the right basketball play. He’s a willing ball-mover and the ball doesn’t stick in his hands.
With the basketball in his hands, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard can set teammates up or apply pressure as a slasher. During his time with the College of Charleston, he was used as a point guard often. With his combination of finishing and playmaking, Rodgers is at his best in the paint. He collapses defenses and finds open teammates, or takes advantage of open driving lanes to finish.
He has a very quick first step and uses his long strides to slither around defenders. He’s a pretty explosive athlete, too, allowing him to elevate and finish at the rim. The best part of Rodgers’ slashing skillset is his footwork. He knows how to play off two feet and uses up-and-unders, step-throughs, and various finishing angles around the rim. He’s also impactful off the ball as a finisher, finding open space as a cutter to catch-and-finish.
As a shooter, Rodgers likes to get into the middle of the floor, where he uses fades and shoulder bumps to separate for his pull-up. Despite the space he creates, he must become more efficient on dribble jumpers from two. He only shot 26.9 percent on 26 attempts during the 2023-24 season, according to Synergy Sports.
On catch-and-shoot threes during the 2023-24 season, the Ohio native was very efficient, but on very low volume (18/34 3s). He only averaged 1.3 three-point attempts in total. With a variety of ball-handlers and scoring options on the perimeter, expect there to be a higher volume of catch-and-shoot three-point attempts from him.
Lastly, Rodgers does a phenomenal job of attacking the offensive glass from the guard spot. He fights for tip-outs and is eager to create second chance opportunities.
Kobe Rodgers Defensive Scouting Report
Where Rodgers could make his biggest impact on the floor this season is on the defensive end. His motor runs high, and he’s engaged, both on and off the ball defensively.
As an on-ball defender, his fluidity shines brightly, as he slides his feet effortlessly to contain drives. He understands angles and positioning, cutting off drivers and staying in front. He also knows how to wall up and use his length around the rim. His size and athleticism allow him to defend multiple positions, as well.
As an off-ball defender, Rodgers creates deflections and closes out to shooters well due to his ground coverage and length. He can bait shooters into tough shots due to the combination of these two aspects of his game. His pursuit in off-ball screening actions is noticeable too, as he doesn’t give up on plays and slithers around screens to lock and trail.
Additionally, Rodgers wreaks havoc as a defensive playmaker. While at Nova Southeastern (DII) from 2021-23, he averaged 2.6 steals per game (48 games played). During the 2023-24 season at College of Charleston, Rodgers averaged 1.3 steals per game.
In totality, the 6-foot-3 guard is versatile defensively due to his mindset, engagement, and athleticism. Expect him to be tasked with defending the opposition’s best perimeter player when he is on the floor.
How does he fit in Louisville’s System?
With all of the offensive firepower along the perimeter of this team, Rodgers will be tasked with doing different things to get on the floor, which won’t be an issue for him. What makes the redshirt senior easy to find minutes for are the intangibles. He is willing to make the extra pass, dive on the floor, defend multiple positions, and get on the glass. Rodgers has no problem doing the dirty work and being the glue guy, which will earn him minutes.
He’s a clear fit in the system due to his character and team-first mindset. The staff wants him as apart of this program and have essentially recruited him twice to join their roster, both at College of Charleston and now at Louisville.
Bottom Line: The 6-foot-3 guard will be used in different capacities throughout the season due to his versatile skillset. At the end of the day, Rodgers doesn’t need to score to be effective. With Louisville having so much perimeter firepower, as mentioned previously, he’ll be able to focus on doing the little things. This will open up more of the offensively-oriented players to dedicate more energy to that end, while Rodgers can take on the difficult matchups defensively.
