In this episode of the Student of The Game podcast, host Brad Noll speaks with Rodney Pryor, former Georgetown Hoya, NCAA Slam Dunk Champion, and Founder of Identity Made. Rodney shares his journey from growing up in Chicago to becoming a professional basketball player. He discusses the importance of character and identity in sports and how it translates to life off the court. Listen this week as Pryor also talks about his new venture, Identity Made, an apparel brand aimed at athletes, and his mission to inspire and empower young athletes to find their purpose beyond the game.

Quotes

• “A couple of years into the business, I had this light switch go off. My parents taught me everything about basketball, and through basketball, there are so many lessons about life, so many. If I just stay locked in with all the lessons that they gave me, whether it's teamwork, hard work, perseverance, dedication, or sacrifice. All these things can be applied, whether you're in a nine-to-five or you're starting your own business.” -Brad Noll [15:08]

• “When you don't live with an aim and you don't have that plan or purpose outside of this game, outside of the four lines, it just makes it so tough to have high character. So then that's when I realized I have all these different opportunities and it's because I've sustained character whenever I got benched. Because God worked on my identity and he worked on my character in those moments, I was able to be of high character in those moments.” -Rodney Pryor [29:58]

Guest Social Links

Instagram: @R_d_p11

LinkedIn URL: http://linkedin.com/in/rodney-pryor-55a114179

Guest Bio

Rodney Pryor is a high-level athlete and keynote speaker on the topics of performing through character, skill set & mindset transition, and identity. A 2x member of Team USA 3x3 Fiba player, 6x NBA G League player, 2017 College Slam dunk champ, Leading scorer for the Georgetown Hoya’s, Big East Conference 2nd leading scorer, 1000 point scorer in 2 years in division 1 at Robert Morris, over 1600 points in 3 years in Division 1. Rising entrepreneur, husband to Ariel Pryor, and father to Sebastian. Born and raised north of Chicago in Evanston. 

“I needed a sports brand that not only inspired my performance but also my identity.”

My journey through trauma, 4 injuries, all the way to Georgetown University and the NBA G League helped me create a sports brand to help athletes maximize their identity in sports, apart from sports and cultural burdens in order to be seen, heard, and valued through their character.

Timestamps

00:44 Rodney's background and growing up in Evanston, Illinois

08:48 The confidence and competition Rodney faced in his career

11:43 The importance of character and identity in sports and life 

14:45 Rodney's transition to entrepreneurship and the creation of Identity Made

29:30 The importance of having purpose and character in sports

34:08 Advice for parents of young athletes 

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SINCE 2003, Noll Team Real Estate HAS BEEN HELPING PEOPLE IN THE FORT WAYNE AREA FIND THE FREEDOM TO LIVE THE LIFESTYLE THEY WANT.

DESPITE CHANGING MARKETS AND BUSINESS TACTICS, WE HAVE REMAINED TRUE TO THIS BETTER AND IMPROVED BUSINESS MODEL BY FOCUSING ON BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND SERVING OTHERS IN EVERYTHING WE DO.

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