One day I checked my phone after a workout and saw that I had a missed call and voice message from a unknown number. The voice message said, “Hey Torey. It’s Mike Rhoades with VCU Basketball.” When I finally got a chance to speak with Coach Rhoades, we set a time for me to come watch a practice. Afterwards, he walked me back to my car and said they were interested in me walking on. It felt so surreal and at that moment I felt like my hard work was finally starting to pay off.

But before school started, Coach Rhoades told me my SAT was bit short of requirement, and I would have to sit out the whole fall. I became depressed. In my mind, all I could do was think about how I missed a golden opportunity. However, the following week, Coach called me again and said if I could get the issue fixed I could come in the spring semester.

At that point, I took three weeks and threw away my phone and devoted myself only to making it to VCU - studying for the test with Mrs. Morris from Trinity Episcopal, and running suicide sprints in a vacant parking lot next to Burger King on Broad Street in a 40-pound weight vest. I would constantly look at VCU training videos. I knew they worked hard, and I was determined to not be a flop. I got the score I needed and immediately called Coach Rhoades. He said, “Now we’re in business.” I didn’t have to attend any type of walk-on tryout or anything. Coach Rhoades just told me to be there on Dec. 26.

December 26, 2012 was move-in day and also my first day of practice with the team. I was so nervous and did not know what the team would think of me. At 2 p.m. we had weightlifting, and I started to meet my teammates. We practiced from 4 p.m. until 6, and Coach Smart had no mercy on me. He immediately coached me as if I had been on the team for years. At that moment I couldn’t believe I was a part of my dream team.

Playing basketball in my hometown is a real blessing. Where I am from, there’s usually a very slim chance that somebody makes it, let alone play basketball at a high level. I embrace it and don’t ever take it for granted. The coolest part is playing on TV and my grandma can watch. The most important thing about playing in Richmond is having her right there to see the games.

August 29th, 2017

Ram Athletic Fund Raises More Than $50,000

Mike Rhoades Introductory Press Conference

August 29^th, 2017