Over the next few weeks, WVUsports.com will highlight members of the 2015-16 West Virginia University women’s basketball team. The eighth installment of this feature includes junior post Desiree Rhodes.
Desiree Rhodes never imagined that she would one day play college basketball at West Virginia University.
“I didn’t know much about the program,” Rhodes said. “I had seen a few games on TV. I didn’t think personally I would be here playing.”
But Rhodes fell in love with the program’s family-like atmosphere.
“Coming from a junior college, this was the best school because when I came on a visit it was very family oriented,” noted Rhodes. “I love the environment. I love my teammates and coaches, even when we have a rough practice. It feels like a big family, especially being far away from home.”
The 6-foot-1 post found her way to West Virginia after receiving a scholarship offer in the spring of 2015. The Aurora, Illinois, native spent two years at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Illinois. Wabash was also the home of former Mountaineer Yelena Leuchanka.
While with the Lady Warriors, Rhodes pulled in 7.9 rebounds and tallied 7.3 points per contest. Her 2.5 blocks per game ranked 10th nationally. Rhodes led Wabash Valley with 12 points in the team’s 63-60 win over Shawnee Community College to claim the Region 24 Tournament title last season. All-Star Girls Report ranked Rhodes as the 14th best junior college prospect in the country.
“Coach (Zach) Loll and coach (Kira) Carter helped me develop my game and guide me to where I am today,” explained Rhodes.
Rhodes had scholarship offers from smaller mid-major schools coming out of high school from East Aurora. But she took the advice of her high school coach Bill Anderson and decided to take the junior college route.
“My high school coach thought the junior college route would be better for me because I need to mature on and off the court,” said Rhodes. “I felt like it did me some good.”
She credits her father Vaughn Rhodes for sparking her interest in basketball.
“He started me in an after school program in fourth or fifth grade,” recalled Rhodes. “I started playing because it was fun and it got more serious when I got to high school under coach Anderson.”
Transitioning from a junior college to a tough conference like the Big 12 can be daunting, but Rhodes has embraced the challenge.
“It’s a very physical game at this level,” said Rhodes. “I’ve never been a very physical player. That has been the biggest transition for me. I will definitely get to that as I continue to develop here.”
Part of her development starts with learning the ins and outs of what it takes to be a hard-nosed player that coach Mike Carey requires from his players.
“It starts with the film first,” noted Rhodes. “It feels like I am going really hard, but when I actually watch myself, I can see that I could go a little harder. Coach Carey is always encouraging us to get better.”
As the Mountaineers continue their preseason preparation, Rhodes is excited about possibilities for the 2015-16 season.
“I look forward to having a good season with these girls,” exclaimed Rhodes. “As long as we play hard and work hard, I feel like we will have a good season.”
