Rudy Jernigan
@rudyjernigan
6’3 , 165lbs, Class of 2026
Whiteville High School, NC
Rudy is an electric young stud who is a triple-threat scorer who can punish a defense with strong balling to get to his spots. He elevates to get any mid-range shot. Rudy is lethal with quick, stop-on-a-dime pull-ups. He is dynamic on catch-and-shoot threes, has good footwork, with the ability to punish on the block with strong, crafty finishes. Rudy's very versatile and enjoys dropping dimes to his teammates. Rudy is a lockdown defender and a ruthless rim protector who loves to have a block party. And naturally, Rudy is a force on the boards.
This past season Rudy had 152 points, 92 rebounds, 58 steals, 14 blocks, and 32 assists while shooting a blistering 65% from three, 50% from 2, and 67% FT and won the Best Defender award. The most motivating thing that happened to Rudy that will push him forward is also the most devastating thing to happen to him this past season. Rudy's best friend got into an awful wreck on the last day of school. This wreck left him paralyzed from his waist down. It was one of the worst days of Rudy's life. They were told originally that he had passed away, but an hour later they were told that he was still alive and had been airlifted to a more advanced hospital. Another good friend of Rudy's did pass away in the wreck and that took a toll on him. Rudy had plans to transfer to a private high school but after this, he decided that staying home at his high school was the thing to do because he needed to be there for him. Rudy spent the next month driving back and forth from Whiteville, NC to Wilmington, NC to spend the day/night with him at the hospital. Rudy never left his side until he had to. Rudy's mom told him that he could do many things in basketball and accomplish all of his dreams with basketball but nothing would make her more proud of him than doing the things he did while his best friend was in the hospital. Rudy knows this is more of a personal thing that happened to him but it is what pushes him forward and keeps him working hard every single day. Rudy's brother isn’t able to play basketball with him again like they used to right now but he will work twice as hard for the both of them. He is his brother, his teammate, and his best friend. Rudy's goal for next season is to lead his team to a conference championship and make a good run in the state playoffs.
Playing AAU for Free Game Elite - Rudy's goals were to handle the ball more, be more vocal, and have more off-ball movement. Rudy wanted to create more and more scoring opportunities and keep moving on the court. Rudy did a great job at utilizing screens, and cutting and became the most dynamic guy on the court. Rudy led his team in assists, and rebounds, and was second in points scored.
A coach can expect Rudy to be the hardest-working guy on the floor in practice and during games. Rudy is unselfish and will do what it takes to win. Rudy likes to get his teammates involved and is very coachable with a willingness to listen and learn.
Rudy sees himself either at the D2 level or a JUCO but his goal is to make it to a D1 school eventually. For now, Rudy is working towards playing at whatever level he is given the most opportunity and will work hard in college with the hope that he can play at a Division 1 school one day.
I assess that this young stud brings every intangible a coach could ask for. He has an intense work ethic, and passion to learn and to develop more. There is no doubt he will play at a very high level and achieve his goals. Rudy is the total package with outstanding character. Y’all this is one to lock in and track very closely. Stay tuned.
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