It’s good to be Rodney Stuckey

by Matt Watson on Jan 5, 2009 8:09 PM EST

If you were looking for Rodney Stuckey's coming out party, you're too late. Stuckey spent the weekend collecting accolades from the blogosphere's heavy-hitters (see: Tom Ziller, Bethlehem Shoals) and relative unknowns (no offense, NBA Mate, you're on my radar now), and today he was named the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week:

Stuckey guided the Pistons to a 4-0 week, leading the team in scoring in three of their four games. The second-year guard posted averages of 23.0 points, 5.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds, while helping the Pistons to a season-high seven game win streak. On Jan. 2 against Sacramento, Stuckey tied his career high in field goals made (15); he played a career-high 43 minutes in each of his last two games. The Pistons are 13-3 with Stuckey as a starter.

It can't get better than this, right? Actually, it can: thanks to Detroit's road trip out west, he'll have a chance to stop by his alma mater, where he'll watch his jersey be raised to the rafters. From Eastern Washington's official website:

Consider it the Senior Day he was never able to receive.

Former Eastern Washington University men’s basketball All-American and current Detroit Piston Rodney Stuckey will have his EWU jersey retired in ceremonies that will take place on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Reese Court in Cheney, Wash.

The event takes place in conjunction with Eastern’s Big Sky Conference game against Weber State that starts at 1:05 p.m. Pacific time and will be televised live regionally on Altitude Sports and Entertainment. The Pistons play at Utah the night before, and don’t play again until Charlotte visits Detroit on Jan. 13.

"I am very honored and humbled to have my EWU jersey retired," said Stuckey on Tuesday (Dec. 30). "I have so many wonderful memories from my college days and I’m thankful to the University, the fans, my coaches and my teammates."

(Thanks to Mike Payne for finding the video)

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Nice video. I also think a little light went off for Stuckey when he was on the USA Olympic tuneup team and saw that he was every bit as good as anybody on the court.

by joejoejoe on Jan 5, 2009 9:39 PM EST reply actions

It’s very hard not to like Rodney.

by RyAN on Jan 5, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply actions

plus, he looks like 50 cent

by Karl on Jan 5, 2009 11:08 PM EST reply actions

“like I said… I’m never scared”

very nice.

by Boney on Jan 5, 2009 11:36 PM EST reply actions

“The emergence of Rodney Stuckey. Easily, Easily…EASILY, could take over a starting spot at the 1 or 2. Last year, I talked about how Stuckey wasn’t that great of a jump-shooter. Let me tell you, the jumpshot looks to be coming around which was a main concern for most Piston fans. No long-range shooting attempts tonight but why need to, when you are nailing almost every mid-range jumper and cutting through the defense to the hoop with ease. Simply put, Stuckey looked great and consistent, scary.”

I called it, before the season started. :D

by Diablo on Jan 6, 2009 7:32 PM EST reply actions