Wake County native shatters JUCO record with 17 3-pointers

Nikel Rodgers scores 54 points for Guilford Technical Community College in dominant win

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:25pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a basketball player's hands gripping a ball, surrounded by a vibrant, expressionist painting of neon colors and rapid brushstrokes capturing the raw energy and movement of the game.A Wake County native's historic performance on the junior college basketball court has generated national attention and opened up new opportunities for his future.Today in Raleigh

Nikel Rodgers, a sophomore at Guilford Technical Community College in North Carolina, recently set a new national junior college record by making 17 3-pointers in a single game. Rodgers, who is from Zebulon and graduated from East Wake High School, scored a total of 54 points in his team's 105-68 victory over Pitt Community College.

Why it matters

Rodgers' historic performance has generated significant interest from four-year college programs across the country, providing him with an opportunity to continue his basketball career at a higher level after graduating from the junior college.

The details

In the dominant win over Pitt Community College, Rodgers scored the first 20 points for his team and finished the game with 54 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. He made 17 of his 23 3-point attempts, shattering the previous national junior college record.

  • Rodgers set the record on March 30, 2026.

The players

Nikel Rodgers

A sophomore at Guilford Technical Community College, studying business entrepreneurship, and a graduate of East Wake High School in Zebulon, North Carolina.

Guilford Technical Community College

The junior college where Nikel Rodgers currently plays basketball.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I wanted to try and become better, and I did, and my stats prove it.”

— Nikel Rodgers, Sophomore, Guilford Technical Community College

“I actually scored our team's first 20 points. I had 54 points, seven rebounds and two steals.”

— Nikel Rodgers, Sophomore, Guilford Technical Community College

“I felt a little bit off coming into the game. I didn't think my performance was going to be all that great, and then it turned out to be one of my best performances.”

— Nikel Rodgers, Sophomore, Guilford Technical Community College

What’s next

Rodgers is set to graduate from Guilford Technical Community College this spring and is hoping to continue his basketball career at a four-year university, with NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill among his top choices.

The takeaway

Nikel Rodgers' historic performance on the basketball court has not only set a new national junior college record, but it has also opened up opportunities for him to potentially play at a higher level. His story serves as an inspiration for other players to see the potential in the junior college pathway.