Kobe Rodgers provides a spark in win over NJIT
Following a quick turnaround after the 87-46 victory against Eastern Michigan on Monday night, the Louisville Cardinals faced off against NJIT on Wednesday night. The Cardinals were up for the challenge and routed the Highlanders 104-47.
There were a handful of standouts in the victory, including Ryan Conwell, who finished with 32 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. However, another major standout in the contest was Kobe Rodgers.
Coming into the season, there was a lot of dialogue surrounding the incoming transfer portal class, alongside the addition of Mikel Brown Jr. Understandably, the hype is and was warranted, but one of the least talked about additions for the 2025-26 season was the returner who sat out last season.
Coming off a major knee injury and long recovery process, there was a lot of unknown surrounding the addition of the former College of Charleston product. Not only was he returning from injury, but he was also going to be transferring up a level after just one season of college basketball at the mid-major level.
Despite those obstacles, Rodgers has been a welcome addition to this team. He understands his role as a reserve and a spark plug off the bench, and has been just that to this point of the season.
To this point of the season, the 6-foot-3 guard is averaging 5.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He also leads the team in steals, totaling 11 through seven games played.
He’s also been incredibly efficient in his shot diet, knocking down 54.5 percent of his total field-goal attempts. Where he could improve as a shooter is from deep, where he’s shooting 30.0 percent on his attempts thus far.
Statistically, he has been productive, but where he has really made an imprint on this team is with his motor and leadership traits.
Tonight’s Performance
In tonight’s contest versus NJIT, Rodgers provided an instant spark coming off the bench. This has become a recurring theme thus far throughout the season. Furthermore, he has established a role on this team as an energizer bunny, lifting the level of play when entering the game.
Defensively, his instincts make him one of the best perimeter defenders on this team. Tonight, he did a great job of cutting off driving lanes and forcing defenders into difficult shots. He even blocked a jump shooter in the process. He also tracked ball-handlers from behind, poking balls loose, leading to steals. Off the ball, he flew in for deflections, continuously disrupting the opposing team’s offensive flow. The redshirt senior also tracked shooters off the ball, closing out hard to alter spot-up opportunities from deep.
Offensively, Rodgers was incredibly active on the offensive glass. He flew in for rebounds and created multiple second-chance opportunities.
His connective passing stood out, too, consistently making the right reads. Arguably, the most underrated aspect of his game is his quick decision-making abilities as a passer. He’s willing to make the hockey assist, and the ball doesn’t stick in his hands. This allows the team offense to capitalize on the advantage at a faster rate. Not only did he provide value as a connective passer, but also as a creator. His speed allowed him to create paint touches, which then led to kick-out passes to open shooters on the perimeter.
On the night, the reserve guard finished with two points, nine rebounds (four offensive), two assists, one block, and two steals.
The Louisville Cardinals will get a week off and resume action against the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville on December 3.
