DJ Rodman isn’t just carrying a legendary last name, he’s building his own legacy. one bucket at a time. As he turns 24, the USC standout and G League sharpshooter is proving that hustle, not hype, writes the best stories. The question isn’t can he escape the shadow? He already has. The real question is: how high will his own star rise?

But every moment of DJ’s story stands the quiet strength of family, the unshakable bonds, and private moments that shape a person far more than any spotlight ever could. Whether it’s shared laughter around the dinner table or the unspoken understanding that comes from real connection, these are the foundations that let someone like DJ move through the world with such grounded confidence. Now, his family wasted no time in wishing him a happy birthday.

Trinity Rodman, the Washington Spirit pro and youngest child of Dennis Rodman, took to social media and posted multiple stories wishing the young star a happy birthday and showcasing their bond. But the highlight? A story showcasing DJ’s dance moves. The throwback video showed DJ grooving to the song’s beats in let’s say, a ‘unique’ way. The story was aptly captioned, “BETTER BE DANCING LIKE THIS TONIGHT MY BOY 😂😭😤 @djrodman”

Michelle Rodman, DJ’s mother, also posted a story wishing him on his day. She shared a throwback picture of her embracing a very young DJ. She captioned the post, “My beautiful boy, You mean the world to me. What an amazing journey it’s been so far. So blessed that God gave us you 🙏 Happy Birthday Son ‘24’” sharing a love filled anecdote, hoping to brighten her son’s day.

Now, at 24, DJ Rodman has slowly but surely begun to follow in his father’s footsteps. And yes, those are big shoes to fill. But he’s showing resilience for sure, carving out his own lane with grit, growth, and a game that keeps evolving. He may share the Rodman name, but the story he’s writing is uniquely his.

DJ Rodman’s basketball journey 

DJ Rodman’s basketball journey has been all about growth, hustle, and carving out his own identity in the shadow of a legendary last name. Starting off at Washington State in 2019, he was a quiet contributor as a freshman. DJ had just 1.7 points per game, but you could already see the effort, especially on defense. By his sophomore year, he started finding his rhythm, dropping 6.1 points a night and knocking down 41.1% from deep. That jumper? It was becoming a real weapon. He stayed true to his word when he said, “Other schools didn’t want to do it, but (Washington State’s coach) took a chance on me, and that’s my way of repaying him. … He’s always going to have my back.“

He kept grinding, and his junior season brought flashes, like a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double against Northern Colorado. But it was his senior year that really popped. Rodman averaged 9.6 points, 5.8 boards, and hit nearly 40% from three. He even dropped a career-high 23 in the NIT. Oh, and he led the team in drawn charges. Classic Rodman grit.

Then, after transferring to USC for his grad year, DJ kept that momentum going, 8.4 points, 5 rebounds a game, and was still reliable from beyond the arc (36.2%). He became known as a hustle guy who could stretch the floor and defend across multiple positions.

Now, in the G League with the Maine Celtics, DJ’s game has matured. He’s averaging 6.8 points and 5.7 boards in just over 24 minutes a game, shooting a scorching 40% from three. That rebounding gene clearly runs deep, he grabbed 17 boards in a single game against Long Island. While he’s not flashy, his off-ball movement, floor spacing, and energy make him the perfect glue guy. He’s not out there trying to do too much, just playing smart, hard-nosed basketball.

DJ Rodman’s career has been a steady climb. From quiet freshman to impactful pro, he’s proving that role players with grit, IQ, and range always find their place. And that when there’s a will, there’s a way.