Every Sunday afternoon 18-year-old Roderick ‘Rod’ Moss gathers with his family and friends on a homemade dirt basketball court less than 100 feet from his Milledgeville home to play a game of five on five basketball.

On this court, Moss acquired the skills and confidence needed to grow into a well rounded young man, Baldwin High School graduate and scholarship recipient for Enterprise Ozark Community College.

Moss, the first athlete in his family to receive a college athletic scholarship and the first to play college basketball since his uncle Freddie Butts played at Savannah State, did not always have dreams of playing basketball.

In fact, it was not even his first sport of choice. As a young boy, Moss focused most of his attention to football, playing offensive tackle and defensive end. It would not take long, though, until Moss shifted his efforts to basketball.

“At first, I began playing football but then I started liking basketball and decided to try something different,” Moss said.

When Moss reached eighth grade, he began playing basketball at Oak Hill Middle School and spent much of his time developing his skills on the dirt court with his Uncle Chris Moss and Cousin Shamond Moss, both former BHS basketball players.

“There was a point in time when I could beat him,” Chris Moss said. “But now I can’t beat him. There are a few areas he needs to work on, but his awareness on the court and his ability to shoot well show me he is ready for the next level.”

Although Moss to focus his efforts on basketball, he did not get much playing time until his junior and senior years, where his family believes he grew into his own.

“I think it was the fear of actually being on the court,” Chris Moss said. “Once he got out there and was comfortable, he began to become confident he could do well.”

The 6’4 forward has matured just as much off the court over the past four years.

“He has great potential,” Rod’s father Robert Moss said. “He has a good attitude and is a respectable young man. College is where he needs to be to take that to the next level and maybe down the line he can get the chance to play in the NBA.”

With hard work and practice, his soon-to-be coach, Ozark Enterprise Community College coach David James believes Moss’ potenti-al is endless.

“His[Rod] best basketball is ahead of him. We are fortunate to get a player of his caliber this late in the recruiting season. If he keeps his head about him, he should have options to play anywhere he wants.”

Moss is grateful for everything God has blessed him with, especially his family, girlfriend, and coaches.

“They have really helped me improve,” Moss said. “They were always getting on to me that my work came first and without them I would not of made it this far.”