IN a sport where height is king, Darnell Rogers has found a way to dominate on the basketball court, despite being only 5ft2 tall.
The 25-year-old UMBC guard is the smallest player MAY play split ball.
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Rogers – a three-star rookie from Indian Land High School – scored his best career numbers last season after returning from long-term injury fights.
Coaches describe the 150-pound pocket rocket as “a nightmare to play against”, with the little guard using his small stature to his advantage on the pitch.
Utilizing his speed, fast shooting, and energetic defense in tandem, Rogers spent a superb senior year at the University of Maryland.
And despite being a foot shorter than most of his teammates and opponents, he’s not afraid to take on all opponents.
The UMBC star told EPSN: “I played with everyone, I played against everyone.
“I always felt like I played better than my matchup. I played against 6-5 guards, smaller guards.
“I’ve always been able to resist. I have never been bullied or anything.
“Nobody blocks my shot when I shoot: I can end up on the edge of my size.
“I belong and I can play.”
Born into a basketball family, Rogers’ father Shawnta was a George Washington University pro before acting for ten seasons in France, Italy and Belgium.
With a height of 5 feet and 4 feet relatively tall, he won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award for “best NCAA player under six feet” in 1999.
Darnell spent his early years in Baltimore and France before the family settled in North Carolina.
“THE MOST UNIQUE PLAYER AGAINST THAT I HAVE EVER TRAINED”
And Rogers Sr is delighted to see his son face the greats, just like he did over two decades ago.
He said: “He is not the tallest. We are not the tallest!
“[My career] it made him feel like he believed in himself and never let doubt get in the way.
“It made it stronger to see that I was able to do it, so he was able to do it.
“Regardless of what anyone said. I see the same Darnell I’ve always seen.
“Size matters to people, whether you’re doing good or not.
“In this game he counts, but I don’t want him to care.”
Rogers’ unique size makes him a complete nightmare for opposition coaches to plan on.
And no more than the 2021-22 season, where he remained injury-free and helped UMBC at the pinnacle of the NCAA tournament.
Rival manager Martin Ingelsby revealed: “He may be the most unique player I’ve ever coached with.
“He has the ability to influence the game in so many ways and it’s almost impossible to simulate him in a scout team.
“He quarterbacks their team, scores them, commits fouls and is a pest on D.
“Just a well-rounded team guy who does everything UMBC needs.
“I have even greater appreciation for him as a player and leader.”
Rogers has played thirty times in his senior year, recovering from two injury campaigns.
He averaged 1.9 rebounds per game, scored over 90 percent from the three-shot line, and amassed 11.7 points per game.
Those kind of numbers are a great all-rounder for any team, with Rogers’ basketball future now undecided.
The modern NBA isn’t necessarily built for short players, and Rogers would have to raise his level again to reach that level.
Isaiah Thomas is the smallest star in the NBA today – and he’s a full house SET inches above Rogers at 5 feet 9.
If a team had had a chance on the clearly talented Rogers, he would have become the shortest player ever to star in the league.
That record is currently held by the 5ft3 Muggsy Bogues, who have spent fourteen seasons in the NBA.
Bogues went to the first round of the 1987 NBA Draft and would have amassed 6,858 career points during bouts with the Washington Bullets, Toronto Rapters, Charlotte Hornets, and Golden State Warriors.
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