DJ Rodman
Dennis Thayne "DJ" Rodman (born April 25, 2001) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays as a guard-forward for the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League.[1][2] Standing at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and weighing 215 pounds (98 kg), Rodman is known for his defensive tenacity and three-point shooting ability.[3] He is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman and the younger brother of professional soccer player Trinity Rodman.[4] Rodman grew up in Newport Beach, California, and attended JSerra Catholic High School, where he developed his basketball skills before committing to Washington State University.[5] Over four seasons with the Washington State Cougars (2019–2023), he appeared in 111 games, averaging 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, with a career-high 38.1% from three-point range in his senior year (2022–23). He transferred to the University of Southern California (USC) for a fifth-year graduate season in 2023–24, where he appeared in 32 games, averaging 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.[3][5] After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, Rodman was selected by the Capital City Go-Go in the NBA G League draft, where he made his professional debut and averaged 2.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in six games during the 2024–25 season.[6] In January 2025, he joined the Maine Celtics via the available player pool, appearing in 28 games and averaging 6.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game to close out the 2024–25 season. In 2025, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets for training camp but was waived in October.[7] In July 2025, his rights were traded to the Greensboro Swarm, where he has begun the 2025–26 season averaging 9.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in four appearances (as of November 2025).[8][9]Early life
Family background
DJ Rodman, born Dennis Thayne Rodman Jr., entered the world on April 25, 2001, in Newport Beach, California.[10][1] He is the son of Dennis Rodman, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee renowned for his defensive prowess and rebounding during a 14-year NBA career, and Michelle Moyer, a former model.[11] Dennis and Michelle met in 1999, married on his 42nd birthday in 2003, separated shortly after with Michelle filing for divorce in 2004, briefly reconciled, and finalized their divorce in 2012.[11][12] Rodman has a younger sister, Trinity Rodman, a professional forward for the Washington Spirit in the National Women's Soccer League and a member of the United States women's national soccer team that won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.[13][14] During his early childhood in Newport Beach, Rodman attended Kaiser Elementary School in nearby Costa Mesa and later Ensign Intermediate School in Newport Beach.[15] His initial exposure to basketball stemmed from his family's athletic heritage, particularly through watching videos of his father's NBA highlights, which provided motivation without hands-on coaching.[16][17]High school career
DJ Rodman began his high school basketball career at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, California, where he played his freshman and sophomore seasons.[3] As a sophomore in the 2016-17 season, he averaged 20.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, leading the Sea Kings to a 22-8 record, and earned Pacific Coast League MVP honors.[18][19] Following his sophomore year, Rodman transferred to JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California, for his junior and senior seasons to play at a higher competitive level.[19] In his junior year (2017-18), he averaged 16.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over 27 contests, contributing to JSerra's strong performance in the Trinity League.[20] During his senior year (2018-19), Rodman emerged as a primary scoring option, averaging 24.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while leading the Lions in scoring.[3][21] At JSerra, Rodman received all-league honors in basketball and also played football as a two-sport athlete.[3][22] His development into a high-scoring wing drew recruitment interest from multiple college programs, including offers from Cal State Fullerton, UC Riverside, and Sacramento State, as well as consideration from Hawaii, Northern Arizona, and Grand Canyon.[23][24] In May 2019, Rodman committed to Washington State University, citing the program's fit for his playing style; his family's athletic background, including his father Dennis Rodman's NBA legacy, added to the visibility of his recruitment.[25][26]College career
Washington State Cougars (2019–2023)
DJ Rodman began his college basketball career at Washington State University in 2019, following a recruitment process that highlighted his potential as a versatile forward from JSerra Catholic High School.[18] As a freshman during the 2019–20 season, Rodman appeared in 26 games without any starts, averaging 1.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in limited minutes of 11.9 per contest.[5] His role was primarily as a rotational player, with notable contributions including a season-high 8 points against No. 8 Oregon, where he hit a game-winning three-pointer.[18] In his sophomore year of 2020–21, Rodman saw an increased role due to team injuries and needs for frontcourt depth, starting 10 of 19 games while averaging 23.6 minutes, 6.1 points, and 3.7 rebounds per game.[5][18] He shot efficiently from three-point range at 41.1%, including a 14-point performance against Oregon State.[18] Rodman's junior season in 2021–22 shifted emphasis toward defense and rebounding, as he played in 35 of 37 games with just 2 starts, averaging 4.2 points and a career-high 4.1 rebounds per game across 19.4 minutes.[5] He led the team in offensive rebounding with 56 and boasted the highest offensive rating at 118.6, while recording his first double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds against Northern Colorado.[18] During his senior year in 2022–23, Rodman emerged as a key starter, appearing in all 31 games with 30 starts and averaging 31.2 minutes, 9.6 points, and 5.8 rebounds per game.[5] He ranked 14th in the Pac-12 in rebounds per game and 17th in total rebounds with 180, while leading the team with 31 drawn charges to underscore his defensive impact; his three-point shooting at 38.1% also ranked ninth in the conference among qualifiers.[27][18] Over four seasons at Washington State, Rodman played in 111 games with 42 starts, compiling career averages of 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, contributing to the team's frontcourt stability.[3] Following his senior year, he utilized his graduate eligibility to transfer to USC for one additional season.[3]USC Trojans (2023–2024)
In May 2023, DJ Rodman announced his transfer to the USC Trojans as a graduate student, utilizing his final year of eligibility after four seasons at Washington State.[28][29] This move positioned him as a versatile 6-6 forward on a roster featuring high-profile talents like Bronny James, building on his prior experience at Washington State to enhance USC's perimeter defense and shooting depth.[30] During the 2023–2024 season, Rodman appeared in 32 games for USC, starting 28, and averaged 8.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 44.0% from the field and 36.2% from three-point range.[5][31] His role as a tough, athletic wing emphasized perimeter shooting and defensive tenacity, allowing him to space the floor effectively and contest opponents on the wing, which complemented USC's offensive schemes under coach Andy Enfield.[3] Rodman contributed notably in key matchups, such as posting 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in an 82-54 win over Oregon State, showcasing his ability to provide energy and rebounding as a forward who could switch defensively across positions.[32] Following USC's 2023–2024 campaign, which ended without an NCAA Tournament berth, Rodman declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, participating in pre-draft workouts with teams like the Golden State Warriors to demonstrate his readiness as a versatile defender and shooter.[33][34] His USC tenure highlighted a refined profile as a 6-6 forward with toughness and reliable perimeter shooting, positioning him for professional evaluation despite going undrafted.[35]Professional career
Early professional stints (2024)
Following his college career at the University of Southern California, where he averaged 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in his graduate student season, DJ Rodman went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft on June 27.[6][35] Rodman transitioned to professional basketball by joining the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2024 NBA Summer League in July, appearing on their Las Vegas roster as a 6-6 forward.[36] He logged limited minutes in one game, totaling 2.7 minutes with 1 point, 1 rebound, and 1 steal, providing an initial exposure to NBA-level competition.[37] On October 26, 2024, Rodman was selected 43rd overall by the Capital City Go-Go, the NBA G League affiliate of the Washington Wizards, in the league's annual draft.[6] He signed an initial contract with the team but was waived on November 25; the Go-Go re-acquired him from the player pool on November 29 before waiving him again on December 3.[38][39] In his brief stint with Capital City, Rodman appeared in six games, averaging 2.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.5 steals in 13.0 minutes per game, as he focused on adapting to the professional pace with emphasis on his perimeter defensive skills honed from college.[40][3]G League career (2024–present)
Rodman joined the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League on January 3, 2025, signing from the available player pool and quickly integrating into the team's rotation as a versatile forward known for his rebounding tenacity.[41] He appeared in limited action initially, averaging 2.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in his first six outings, before being waived on January 9, 2025.[42] The Celtics reacquired him four days later on January 11, allowing him to solidify his role for the remainder of the 2024–25 season.[42] During his tenure with Maine, Rodman played in 25 regular-season games, starting 21, and averaged 6.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 24.2 minutes per game, showcasing improved shooting efficiency from beyond the arc at 35.7%.[43] His contributions extended to key defensive efforts, including a career-high 17 rebounds in a January 19, 2025, loss to the Long Island Nets, and a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds—both career highs—against the Grand Rapids Gold on January 26, 2025.[44][45] Rodman's relentless energy and rebounding helped bolster the Celtics' frontcourt depth during a competitive stretch, contributing to several close contests despite the team's mid-table finish in the Atlantic Division.[41] On July 29, 2025, the Maine Celtics traded Rodman to the Greensboro Swarm, the Charlotte Hornets' affiliate, in exchange for guard RaeQuan Battle.[46] Joining Greensboro ahead of the 2025–26 season, Rodman has embraced a guard-forward role, leveraging his 6-foot-6 frame for perimeter defense and transition play.[47] As of November 18, 2025, after four games with the Swarm (averaging 10.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game while shooting 66.7% from three), he remains a key rotational piece off the bench, highlighted by a career-high 30 points (8-of-11 FG, 7-of-9 3PT) on November 15 against the Delaware Blue Coats in a 145–129 win that improved Greensboro to 4–0. These performances build on his cumulative G League averages of 6.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game across 35 regular-season appearances, with a career three-point percentage of approximately 38%.[48][43] His short-term impact has included providing bench scoring and rebounding support in early games, aiding Greensboro's efforts to establish momentum in the Southeast Division.[2][49]NBA training camp and Summer League appearances
In the 2025 NBA Summer League, DJ Rodman joined the Charlotte Hornets' roster and contributed to their championship-winning campaign in Las Vegas.[50][51] He appeared in multiple games, including a performance of 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists against the Sacramento Kings.[52] Over the tournament, Rodman averaged 5.8 points per game while shooting 45.5% from three-point range, demonstrating perimeter shooting potential in limited minutes.[53] Following Summer League, Rodman signed an Exhibit 10 training camp contract with the Hornets on September 22, 2025, providing an opportunity to compete for an NBA roster spot or a G League assignment with their affiliate.[54] He was included on the team's official 2025 training camp roster announced on September 30.[55] During camp, Rodman participated in practices focused on the Hornets' fast-paced identity under coach Charles Lee, though specific individual feedback from scouts or coaches was not publicly detailed beyond his prior Summer League showings.[56] The Hornets waived Rodman on October 7, 2025, prior to the start of the 2025–26 regular season, ending his brief NBA camp stint.[57] As part of the Exhibit 10 agreement, he became eligible for a $25,000 bonus upon reporting to the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets' G League team, where his experience from the prior season served as preparation for continued development.[57] Rodman subsequently joined the Swarm's 2025–26 training camp roster announced on October 26.[58]Career statistics
College
DJ Rodman played college basketball over five seasons, spanning four years at Washington State University from 2019 to 2023 and one final year at the University of Southern California in 2023–24. In total, he appeared in 143 games, making 70 starts, while averaging 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game.[5] His per-game statistics by season are summarized below:| Season | Team | GP | GS | MP | FG% | 3P% | FT% | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | WSU | 26 | 0 | 11.9 | .275 | .286 | .600 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 0.3 |
| 2020–21 | WSU | 19 | 10 | 23.4 | .402 | .411 | .750 | 6.1 | 3.7 | 0.9 |
| 2021–22 | WSU | 35 | 2 | 19.4 | .420 | .279 | .806 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 0.9 |
| 2022–23 | WSU | 31 | 30 | 31.5 | .413 | .381 | .792 | 9.6 | 5.8 | 1.4 |
| 2023–24 | USC | 32 | 28 | 27.5 | .440 | .362 | .738 | 8.4 | 5.0 | 1.3 |
G League
DJ Rodman began his professional career in the NBA G League with the Capital City Go-Go during the 2024–25 season, appearing in six games off the bench.[9] He averaged 13.0 minutes per game, contributing 2.7 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 54.5% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range.[9] In the same 2024–25 season, Rodman joined the Maine Celtics, where he played 28 games (25 regular season + 3 additional), starting 21, and averaged 23.1 minutes per game.[9] His scoring rose to 6.3 points per game, with 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists, alongside a field goal percentage of 42.9%, three-point percentage of 39.5%, and free throw percentage of 61.9%.[9] For the 2025–26 season, Rodman signed with the Greensboro Swarm and, as of November 18, 2025, has appeared in 4 games, playing 17.8 minutes per game and recording 9.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists on 64.7% field goal shooting and 64.3% from three-point range (100.0% FT).[9]| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Capital City Go-Go | 6 | 0 | 13.0 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 0.5 | .545 | .333 | .333 |
| 2024–25 | Maine Celtics | 28 | 21 | 23.1 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 1.6 | .429 | .395 | .619 |
| 2025–26 | Greensboro Swarm | 4 | 0 | 17.8 | 9.5 | 1.8 | 0.3 | .647 | .643 | 1.000 |