by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Kansas City Kansas Community College forward Robert Rhodes is the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) Player of the Week.
The Jayhawk Conference leader in rebounding, Rhodes was honored for his play in Blue Devil wins over nationally ranked Johnson County and Labette last week.
He had double-doubles in both games as he helped the Blue Devils vault into undisputed possession of the Jayhawk Conference lead.
His fourth double-double of the season – 15 points and 14 rebounds – came in an 82-65 win in a showdown with JCCC for first place in the conference Feb. 5 and he followed it up with 14 points and a career high 18 rebounds in an 81-77 win over Labette on Saturday.
He’s the first KCKCC men’s player to be named Player of the Week. The Lady Blue Devils’ Kamryn Estell earned the women’s honor earlier.
Rhodes leads the Jayhawk in both rebounds (9.0) and blocked shots (47), is third in field goal accuracy (57.4 percent) and seventh in steals (32). Averaging 9.5 points in conference play and 8.6 overall, he’s one of seven Blue Devils averaging seven or more points a game this season.
“Robert has the instinct to go get the ball wherever it is rebounding-wise,” KCKCC head coach Brandon Burgette said. “He does everything requested of him with an effort that goes above and beyond. He has a lot of energy and motor that never stops.”
Rhodes has posted double figures in rebounding 11 times and been in double figures scoring-wise 10 times. He also has 42 assists, an average of nearly two a game.
“He’s been playing great; really consistent every night,” Burgette said.
The Blue Devils will close out their home schedule with doubleheaders Saturday against Fort Scott (2 and 4 p.m.) and next Wednesday night against Highland (5:30 and 7:30 p.m.).