Leading up to the men's basketball regular-season opener on Nov. 6, GoStanford.com will profile all 15 student-athletes on the team and learn more about their interests, experiences and goals.
In the ninth edition of our Cardinal Capsule series, we get to know junior
Rodney Herenton from Chicago, Illinois.
What us something most people don't know about you?
I taught myself how to play the piano without ever taking a lesson. A lot of people know I play the piano, but not many know I taught myself. I started learning in high school. I also recently started teaching myself how to play the guitar, learning by ear.
Do you have a favorite song, or one you are currently playing?
Right now, I like to play Doing it Wrong by Drake on the piano.
At what age did you first start playing basketball?
When I was seven at the local YMCA. My parents exposed me to a lot of sports growing up. My first sport was tennis. While playing tennis, I started basketball and soccer when I was seven, and then played football when I was 10.
Why did you choose to come to Stanford?
I got a recruiting letter from Stanford my sophomore year, and from that moment on, it was a goal to come here. I was admitted and here I am. It really is a dream come true.
What is your major and what career path outside of basketball are you interested in?
I am majoring in international relations. My specialization is world economics. I am interested in private investments, such as private equity or real estate.
You participated in the Rubenstein-Bing Student-Athlete Civic Engagement program and had the opportunity to go to India in the summer of 2017. What was that experience like?
I wanted to do something where I could really have an impact. I met with someone at the Haas Center for Public Service and she asked if I was interested in an international experience. I looked into it and found the perfect opportunity. India was my first time ever leaving the country. It was one of the best experiences I have had. It was a shock when I first arrived with the different culture, values that people have and the food. We had the opportunity to teach English, math and sports to the children in the neighborhood. It was an amazing experience.
What has the experience at Stanford been like for you?
It has been everything I expected and more. I knew the academic load would challenge me and it has. I knew I would form a bond with my teammates and students across campus and it has been better than I could've asked for.
Any last things you want to share that people may not know about you?
I am from Chicago, but I grew up in Memphis and lived there until I was 13. In my opinion, Chicago is the greatest city there is.
