Rodrick Rhodes played for Kentucky for three years before transferring to Southern California. For years, rumors swirled that Rick Pitino forced Rhodes out because Ron Mercer was coming in, and for years, Rhodes denied that.
Not anymore. In an article in "The Daily Yonder" (great name),
Rhodes finally admits he never wanted to leave Kentucky and Pitino pushed him out for Mercer:
A few games later, Kentucky flamed out against North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen. Not long after, Rhodes announced he was transferring to Southern California. Rhodes was done with Kentucky, and Kentucky, armed with another stud freshman in Ron Mercer, was done with Rhodes. Rumors abounded that Pitino, wanting to keep Mercer happy, forced Rhodes out. Rhodes denied that, saying the transfer was his idea. “I won out,” Rhodes said to ESPN at the time.
Today, he tells a different story. “Everyone knows I didn’t want to leave Kentucky. Every single Kentucky fan knows what happened with me and Coach P. and Ron Mercer. Kentucky fans are smart enough to think they can out-coach [current UK head coach John] Calipari. If you’re smart enough to be a Kentucky fan, you’re smart enough to know I never wanted to leave Kentucky.”
Rhodes finally found his way back to Kentucky and is now the head coach at Cordia High School in Hazard. There's some really interesting stuff in this interview, so be sure to go check it out.
[The Daily Yonder]
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