Marble Falls girls basketball player Tea Rodriguez signs her NLI to Murray State College
CAPTION: Marble Falls senior guard Tea Rodriguez hugs Malcolm Canada, her coach who gives her private lessons, during her signing ceremony. Courtesy photo
Marble Falls High School senior girls basketball player Tea Rodriguez celebrated signing with Murray State College with a ceremony at Max Copeland Gym Dec. 18.
Rodriguez committed to the program Sept. 13 and signed and sent in her National Letter of Intent Nov. 9, the first day of the early signing period, to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I school. The Lady Mustangs (11-6) have played in numerous games throughout the pre-district schedule and finally had some time in mid December to celebrate their star guard’s signing.
“It felt like it all came into place in that moment,” she said. “I felt really comfortable there. I was welcomed by the coaching staff and the team. We played a scrimmage, and I felt like I’d fit in and be challenged to my fullest ability.”
Rodriguez leads the Lady Mustangs by averaging 12.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3.4 steals per game.
She also plays select basketball for Next Level and Austin Elite, and her dad, Ronnie Rodriguez, sent videos to different programs during her recruitment. She said she “couldn’t put a number” on the amount of games she plays in a calendar year. She estimates it’s between 90-100.
“(Amateur Athletic Union) basketball really helped,” she sad. “Coaches would post where they would be. I also attended showcases where coaches could watch online. It’s extremely hard (to earn a scholarship). It’s about getting put in the right places. You have to be where the coaches can see you.”
The daughter of Rodriguez and Sheila Cremona will major in criminal justice to be a juvenile counselor.
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