All Eyes on Rodney Purvis
Words. Jason Jordan
Though he’s got the skills and the frame (6-3, 165 lbs.) to warrant the comparison, at this point it’s a little cliché to refer to Rodney Purvis as the next John Wall.
Still, from recruiting analysts to junkies to casual fans, everyone wants to get their own take on North Carolina’s next big thing.
“I’ve noticed that I’ve been getting a lot more attention,” said Purvis, a freshman point guard from Upper Room Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.). “It’s been pretty cool. I don’t really get into all of that attention and things like that. I just love the game, but yeah I’ve noticed that it’s picked up.”
We caught up with Purvis to talk about everything from how he’s handling the attention hike to how he’s handling the influx of Twitter followers.
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HighSchoolHoop: So how has the season been going with CP3 All-Stars AAU?
Rodney Purvis: It’s been going really well. I play with the 15’s and the 17’s. I won a tournament with the 15’s in Knoxville recently. Then I played in the Pitt Jam Fest with the 17’s and I did pretty well there too. We’ve only lost about three games with the 15’s, and with the 17’s we’ve only lost about three or four.
HSH: What are you averaging with the teams?
RP: With the 17’s I’m probably averaging about 17 points per game, and with the 15’s I’m averaging about 25 points per game.
HSH: What was your goal coming into the AAU season?
RP: Honestly, I just wanted to come out and prove that I’m the best in my class. I am determined to be the best.
HSH: How are you going about doing that being the young guy on a team like CP3?
RP: Well, I’m taking a different approach. I offer to guard the best perimeter player on the opposing team.
HSH: Somebody saw Kobe play for Team USA, huh?
RP: Yeah! I’ve done pretty well with it too. I’ve checked Tyler Lewis (Team Loaded, Va.), Shane Larkin (Florida Assault, Fla.) and Stevie Taylor (All-Ohio). Last year I got more serious about my defense and I committed to it. Now I’m pretty much a defensive stopper.
HSH: You’ve been profiled on ESPN, you’ve been called the next John Wall… Have you been getting more attention at these tournaments on and off the court?
RP: Yes, a lot! Last year people would just look at me like ‘oh he’s just in eighth grade,’ but now there’s a lot more chatter about me. People hit me up on Facebook asking me to come to their college, and I just started my Twitter (@rpurvis_21) and I’ve already got 160 followers right away!
HSH: Wow, that’s pretty crazy.
RP: I know! Half of my followers are Kentucky fans.
HSH: Well, there’s a good transition. I know it’s beyond early, but run me down your list.
RP: Kentucky, Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Florida, N.C. State, Syracuse, Xavier, VCU, Baylor, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma, N.C. Central… There are a lot more too.
HSH: Who’s offered?
RP: Xavier offered me recently. VCU offered me first though, and N.C. Central has offered too.
HSH: Last time we spoke you said you were taking things slow with recruiting.
RP: Yeah that’s the same. I’m not getting too serious with it at this point.
HSH: Smart move. Are you planning to go to any elite camps at colleges this summer?
RP: Yes, I’ve already gotten a lot of invites, but I’m not sure which ones I’m gonna be able to go to yet. I’ve gotten invites from Florida, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Florida State and Illinois. Oh and I’ll probably go to Duke again.
HSH: OK, let me be typical, just because it’s my job to drive this hype machine, what are you thinking about being dubbed the next John Wall?
RP: (Laughs) Still, not feeling that. Not fair to him. He’s too good and I’m really young.
HSH: OK, well you know how we do, that’s going to be my leadoff question each time we talk.
RP: (Laughs) OK that works. But I can’t see my answer changing just so you know. But I know you’ll ask.
HSH: Indeed. He told me you guys still keep in touch.
RP: Yeah he was in town a couple of weeks ago, but he had to leave pretty quick. You know John’s my boy!
HSH: So let’s talk rankings. You said you were on a quest to be the best in 2013.
RP: Right.
HSH: Our national top 50 disregards class and I know you’ve had a strong summer playing with guys three years older than you. Where do you think you should fall in our new rankings that will be out in the next month or so?
RP: Yeah I’ve seen those rankings. Hmm, man, disregards class… That’s different. I don’t know if I’ll make that one.
HSH: So humble…
RP: (Laughs) Put it like this, if you guys put me somewhere that I don’t deserve to be I’ll work my hardest to get to the point where I should be ranked there. I don’t know of any rankings like that, so that would definitely be an honor.
Got a burning question for Jason? Email him: JasonJ@DimeMag.com
Come to NC STATE Rodney, and follow in CJ’s footsteps being a hometown hero.
Come to the BIG BLUE. GO CATS.have a good high school experience first.
NC is waiting for you my dude!!!!
Great stuff… Purvis is a beast! Can’t wait to see him in a Kentucky uniform!
BIG BLUE NATION can’t wait too see you in blue and white.
he looks old…should come to usa
i mean unc…haha
Come to UK my friend. Great environment, national exposure with one of the best programs in the country. Just ask John Wall.
NCCU…..Go Eagles!
As great as a basketball player is… he is even a great young man. He kills me with all the yes sir and no sir’s but that’s the kind of person his is.
Great article, here’s more from Rodney and his recruitment:
http://www.basketballelite.com/index.php/basketball-recruiting/catching-up-with-rodney-purvis-basketball-recruiting/
You are good keep it up. and um im looking forward to be the best in my class too(2014). Im a small forward. GO TO THE UK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rodney Purvis decided to aim for Class of 2012 again. http://www.basketballelite.com/index.php/basketball-recruiting/catching-up-with-rodney-purvis-basketball-recruiting/
I hope this talented guy plays NCAA basketball before going pro. He’s already turning so many heads, I think he’ll be a household name across the country and with NBA scouts while playing college ball.
Purvis is coming to louisville and they are gonna be awesome with him at the point. I see a good future for him with the Cards and coach Pitino.