Many of today's top athletes were born in 1986. Rafael Nadal, Tim Lincecum, and others come to mind. Many more big names will soon emerge.
Rajon Rondo was born in this year too, on the 22nd day of February in the city of Louisville, KY. His mother, Amber, raised Rondo without a father by her side, in addition to two siblings, William and Dymon.
Rajon attended Eastern High School in Louisville for three years. In his junior year, Rondo averaged 27.6 ppg, 10 rpg, and 7.5 apg. He and high school coach and mentor Doug Bibby still have a very close relationship. For Rajon Rondo's senior year, Coach Bibby sent him to Oak Hill Academy so that Rajon could play against a better competition.
Nearing the end of Rondo's high school career, he was named to the McDonald's All-American team in 2004. He also participated in the 2004 Jordan Capital Classic Game where he put up 12 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. However, one of Rondo's greatest games was when he dished out 31 assists in one game which is two shy of the all time national record.
Rondo was forced to choose between Louisville and Kentucky for college, and eventually opted to be a Wildcat. This proved to be a wise decision.
He also set the school record in steals in one season with 87 in his freshman year at Kentucky. The scrappy point guard set another UK record by grabbing 19 boards in one game. Watch out Patrick Ewing! After two years, Rajon Rondo declared for the 2006 NBA Draft. While at the University of Kentucky, Rajon averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, and 4.9 apg. He also averaged 2.1 steals per game.
Rajon Rondo was selected 21 overall by the Phoenix Suns. He finished off his rookie campaign by being selected to the NBA All Rookie Second Team. He was then traded to the Boston Celtics along with Brian Grant. Rajon is now starting at point guard along with two all stars and an MVP. Not intimidated by this, Rondo is thriving and delivering almost on a day-to-day basis. He had 16 assists against th Bobcats on February 28, 2008 which was his career high. He pulled down 14 rebounds against the heavy rebounding spurs. The numbers go on.
Rondo's defensive abilities, his rebounding, and his overall maturity are all rivaled by very few NBA point guards. As he matures and develops some more, there is no doubt that Rajon Rondo will prove to be one of the better point guards in the history of the league.
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