City of Basketball Love

Danny Holdsman (@DHoldsman)
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It was over 11 years ago that Scott Rodgers was named MVP in the Public League finals. He dropped 15 points en route to beating the Morris twins and Prep Charter.

On Saturday, he played in another meaningful game involving the Morris twins -- the only differences are that they’re now his coaches, and the stakes are $2 million.

“I guess I’m considered as a proven winner. Going against those guys in high school was great. It’s good to team up with them this time,” Rodgers said.

Team F.O.E (Family Over Everything) looked impressive today in their opening round win of The Basketball Tournament.

With the Morris twins as coaches and Rodgers as a key contributor, they were victorious against a Liberty Ballers team led by former St. Joe's forward C.J. Aiken. Other familiar faces on F.O.E include Northeast High School grad Sean Evans, former Villanova star Maalik Wayns, Tyshawn Taylor, who was a teammate of the Morris brothers at Kansas, and Mychel Thompson, whose brother Klay plays for the Golden State Warriors.

Rodgers, a product of Central High School and Drexel University, totaled nine points while dishing out five assists in the win.

“We played in a few tournaments together, so we have a little bit of chemistry,” Rodgers said of his team.

After averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in his senior year at Drexel, Rodgers bounced around to various professional teams throughout the Americas. He played this past season playing for Sao Jose/Unimed/Vinac in Brazil where he averaged over 14 points and four assists.

He expects to return to the club next season.

Having spent five seasons competing in foreign lands, Rodgers relishes the opportunity to come back and play in his hometown.

“It’s a feeling that I can’t even explain,” Rodgers said with a smile. “I love playing for my city. Philly is hard-nosed, and it’s good to be able to play in front of my friends and family.”

Team F.O.E squares off in the second round next against a loaded Team Maryland squad that features Quincy Miller (Baylor) and Jerrelle Benimon (Georgetown and Towson).

“We know we face a good team tomorrow, so we have to be on our A-game and not come out as slow,” Rodgers said.

The Basketball Tournaments culminates on August 2 in NYC with the winning team being awarded $2 million to split amongst its players, coaches and several fans. If F.O.E is fortunate enough to get there, the Morris twins will surely be hoping for Rodgers to produce the same type of heroic performance that he did in 2005.

“Of course [we can win the championship],” Rodgers said. “All we have to do is play team basketball and play together, and we're good.”