Jarrod Rogers takes the reigns in senior season

After playing under the shadow of now assistant men’s basketball coach Zachary Houston ’17, senior point guard Jarrod Rogers is getting a chance to command Guilford College’s men’s basketball team with high expectations this season. The Quakers are returning off a huge 2016-2017 season that saw an Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament victory, an ODAC regular season championship and a National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament win. Guilford was tabbed first in the 2017 ODAC preseason poll.

The Trinity high school product came to Guilford in 2014 and immediately got to step on the court in 25 of the Quakers’ 27 games, averaging just under 10 minutes a game. The next season, he saw even more action, playing in 26 games and starting 11. Last season, Rogers established himself as the go-to sixth man, playing in all 30 games and finishing second on the team in assists. He also was a solid three-point shooter, finishing the season shooting 36.8 percent from deep.

This season, Rogers is playing over 30 minutes a game and leads the team with five assists per game. He also shoots over 50 percent and maintains a solid 1.4 assist-turnover ratio. He is averaging four rebounds a game and just under two offensive rebounds per game from his guard position.

The Guilfordian had the opportunity to sit down with Rogers to talk about his playing career at Guilford as it comes to a conclusion.

Q: How would you describe your season personally so far?

A: I’ve had some highs and lows, but the season is a grind, so it is important for me to trust the process so I can be playing my best by the end of the season.

Q: What does this senior season mean to you?

A: It means a lot to me. It is the end of something that has been my life for so long.

Q: What has it been like playing under head coach Tom Palombo?

A: He’s a great coach that has helped me understand there’s a lot more to a player than scoring baskets, and people can impact the game in a number of different ways. He has taught me that you get out what you put in with all aspects of life.

Q: Where do you feel you have improved the most?

A: I think I’m a much better defender than I was as a high school player, and that’s a testament to coach Palombo’s coaching. I struggled early in my career, and I just tried to buy into the program and give all that I could.

Q: What has Palombo taught you defensively? Was it a change in mindset, or did you learn different techniques?

A: I think it’s both, honestly. He really preaches defense and challenges us on the defensive end of the court, but he also puts us in places to make plays.

Q: What goes through your head when you line up on the court for the first time before tipoff?

A: I try to lock in and do whatever I can personally to help my team that night to get the win.

Q: How would you describe the chemistry with your teammates?

A: We are really like a family. We’re together on the court, but we hang out a lot off the court as well. I’d say I’m closest with Jaylen Gore and Carson Long who are both returners to the program.

Rogers and the Quakers return to action on Dec. 2, where they will travel up north to take on ODAC-rival Bridgewater College.