Troy University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2023
To compete in multiple Division I sports at a time is difficult enough. But to star in two Division I sports is nearly impossible. Yet, Rhodney Donaldson (1993-97) was Troy’s Bo Jackson, doing just that, earning all-conference honors and conference titles on both the hardwood and the diamond.
“He was a man of heart,” former Troy basketball head coach Don Maestri said. “He was a super-competitor. There are not many people who can compete at the level he did in both sports. He had a natural gift from God and took it to the next level by putting in the hours on both the hardwood and the ball field. On the days he had baseball practice, he’d be in the gym early in the mornings taking shots to make sure he was getting better at both.”
Before modern-day basketball popularized the 3-point shot, it was Donaldson starting the trend to extend the floor. The 3-point game was pivotal in Donaldson’s career, leading the Trojans in 3-pointers made from 1994-97 and taking the scoring title in 1995-96 with 440 points. In his freshman season, Donaldson helped Troy convert an NCAA Division I record 28 3-pointers over George Mason, which stood alone until Wyoming tied the record in 2021.
The four-year letterwinner played 108 games for the Trojans, scoring 1,363 points to become the first 1,000-point scorer in Troy Division I history under Maestri and assistant coach David Felix. Three decades later, he remains the 11th leading scorer all-time for Troy as one of just 13 players with 1,300-plus points. The former No. 14 / 44 also ranks in the top 10 in field goals made (4th), 3-point field goals made (2nd), free throw percentage (2nd), steals (6th) and assists (8th).
Donaldson was crucial in Troy’s transition to D-I basketball, joining the Trojans as a freshman in their first season at the D-I level (1993-94). That season, Donaldson averaged 9.4 points as Troy went 5-0 in the East Coast Conference to win its first regular-season title.Â
On the diamond, Donaldson excelled in the outfield, taking his talents to the Major League after the Florida Marlins drafted him in the 17th round of the 1997 MLB Draft. The Cairo, Ga., native played for the Utica Blue Sox and Kane County in the Single-A Division before finishing his professional career in the Texas-Louisiana League.Â
Experience allowed Donaldson to flourish on the ballfield, peaking his junior season to earn the Mid-Continent Conference All-First Team after hitting .368. He ended that season with five doubles, two triples and seven homers. Through his four-year career, Donaldson totaled 16 doubles and 11 home runs, finishing with a batting average of .329.Â
In 1995, Donaldson earned immortality at Troy in the team’s first season with the MCC. After a 22-21-1 regular season record, the Trojans marched to win the tournament championship with a 12-9 win over Western Illinois. The championship title punched the Trojans’ ticket to the NCAA Play-In series against Wright State.
In the bottom of the ninth, with the score tied, 5-5, Donaldson was at the plate against Wright State and Lance Lawley on second. The outfielder found the hole and brought Lawley home on a single, 6-5, to send Troy to its first NCAA Regional in Tallahassee in its second season at the D-I level.
“Coach Felix and I are extremely happy for him and are excited to see him join us in the Hall of Fame,” Maestri said.
