Liberty true freshman Kyle Rode entered the program with plenty of fanfare as he’s the highest rated recruit to ever sign with the Flames. Through his first 17 games, the Lexington, Kentucky native has lived up to the hype.
“He hasn’t surprised me in the least bit,” Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay said of Rode. “We spent a lot of time and effort recruiting him because of how special of a player he was, but even more than that he’s just a fabulous kid. He’s got a leadership gift on his life that I think is unparalleled. He hasn’t surprised me.”
The 6’6″ forward from Lexington Christian Academy is averaging 22.3 minutes per game, 5th most on the team. He’s also averaging 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting over 50% from the field and 43.5% from three. Rode has even started 5 games for McKay when ASUN Preseason Player of the Year Caleb Homesley was dealing with a hamstring injury.
At the Islands of the Bahamas Showcase in late November, the Flames played without Homesley and that is when Rode took his game to another level. In the three games there, he averaged 13 points and nearly 5 rebounds per contest while shooting 8-of-14 from three (57.14%).
McKay says Rode is dealing with a nagging injury “that we’ve got to continue to manage.” Against NJIT on Saturday, Rode scored 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds while making 3-of-5 field goans and 2-of-3 from three.
McKay can’t stop gushing about one of his newest players.
“I think he will have one of the best careers of any player that has ever put on a Liberty uniform when it’s all said and done.”
