Just 14 years old, eighth-grader
Pierre Rondo of
North Oldham (Goshen) had a coming-out party Thursday in Kentucky's Sweet 16 state tournament at Rupp Arena, scoring a game-high 25 points in a 75-61 win over
Lyon County (Eddyville) in the opening round.
The son of former NBA guard Rajon Rondo has been turning heads all season, but he turned it up a notch on the state's biggest stage.
See highlights from Rondo's performance in the video via the NFHS Network.
Rondo will get another chance to add to his growing legacy on Friday when North Oldham takes on
Butler (Louisville) at 6 p.m. in the
state quarterfinals. Kentucky crowns just one champion for boys and girls basketball.
HOW TO WATCH: North Oldham vs. Butler
Date: Friday, March 20
Tip: 6 p.m.
Streaming: NFHS NetworkIn addition dropping 25 points Thursday, the Class of 2030 point guard dished out seven assists and added four boards.
"He doesn’t play like an eighth-grader, he plays like a senior in high
school," Lyon County coach Ryan Perry
told the Lexington Herald Leader. "He’s been well coached and with Rajon has been around the game
and taught very, very well. Pierre's a special talent. He's got the
skillset to be elite but he’s already got a very, very high IQ.”
Rondo was 6 of 8 shooting in the first half as he helped the Mustangs to a 15-point halftime lead with 19 points. He drained four 3-pointers in the first half and shot 75 percent from the field on the night.
"I never made it to Rupp in high school, so he’s already beaten me at so many levels of the game at this age," Rajon Rondo told the paper.
