Anyone who follows N.C . State Athletics has probably heard the name Rodney Purvis , but few know the kind of leader and the type of person he is off the basketball court. The 6-foot-4-inch guard from Upper Room Christian Academy said the hardest thing for him to do on a daily basis is stay focused.
“I have a bunch of people in my ear about different things like girls and other stuff, but I don’t let them get me off track,” Purvis said.
Purvis has demonstrated his ability to keep cool about all the attention he received during the recruiting process. Since the eighth grade, coaches have been trying to convince him to come to their respective schools.
“I wasn’t ever nervous after I got my first scholarship offer,” Purvis said. “It was definitely a humbling and great process.”
Purvis’ character has caught the attention from his fellow teammates as well. Junior forward Sharwyn McGee said he not only looks up to Purvis on the basketball court but also admires how he carries himself off the court as well.
“He’s a leader,” Mcgee said. “I look up to him on and off the court, and he’s a great player.”
According to junior guard Faquan Dunn, Purvis is also a person who is strong in his faith and is willing to help those who are not so strong in theirs.
“He made me want to come [to Upper Room],” Dunn said. “He helped me become a better person with God when I wasn’t really that strong in my faith.
“He really pushes you to be the best person you can be on and off the court.”
Avie Lester, head coach of Upper Room, had nothing but praise when he spoke about Purvis . Lester referred to Purvis carrying himself as a regular person who didn’t change when he received a vast amount of attention from the media.
“To be as popular as he is outside of the school, if you didn’t know it, you would not be able to tell,” Lester said. “[ Purvis ] just blends in.”
Purvis has no problem buying into what the coaches are saying. According to Lester, Purvis carries himself in a way that is comparable to Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow .
“My advice to Rodney has always been, ‘be humble and be hungry,'” Lester said. “‘Carry yourself in such a way that people will always want to support you.'”
Purvis has that support through his mother, according to Lester. His mother was also the person who wanted him to enroll in Upper Room in the first place.
“[ Purvis ] and his mother are really close, I can tell,” Lester said. “I know that’s why she wanted him to stay here for high school. She liked the family atmosphere that we have at Upper Room.”
Purvis has shined with his basketball team at Upper Room and State fans can only look eagerly towards his arrival next year.
