Reading High's Yamilex Rodriguez Commits to Cal U

Reading High senior Yamilex Rodriguez's college recruitment mirrored her high school basketball career. A slow rise that eventually reached the apex.

The script came with unexpected twists and turns, but she finished her high school career as a Berks Girls League champion and will now continue her athletic and academic careers at the Division II level.

Interest in the 5-4 point guard started off slower than expected, but after she sent an email to Pennsylvania Western University, California (Cal U) head coach Jess Strom, everything fell into place.

"It feels amazing," said Rodriguez, who officially signed her letter of intent on April 30. "Playing basketball at the collegiate level has always been a dream since I was younger. To do so at the Division ll level is truly a blessing."

Yamilex Rodriguez with her parents after signing to play basketball in college at Cal U. (Photo courtesy of Bill Snook)

Schools at both the Division II and III levels were in contact with Rodriguez but it was taking time for any serious conversations or offers to happen. Cal U reached out a little later in the process and then the discussions and interest accelerated.

"We actually saw her late in the process when she sent us an email," Strom said. "The process with Lex moved pretty quickly from the time she emailed us, until the time she came to campus to visit, and the time she committed."

Rodriguez loved the campus during that visit and the rest was history.

"I ended up choosing Cal because I feel they give me the best opportunity to succeed on and off the court and push me to be the best I can be," said Rodriguez, who plans to major in Psychology. "Not just now, but also for my future goals."

Rodriguez was a four-year contributor for the Red Knights, leading them to their first Berks County championship in 15 years and upsetting two-time defending champion Wyomissing and childhood friend Amaya Stewart in the semifinals along the way. She finished her career with 941 points.

Rodriguez and Stewart played on the same AAU teams and challenged each other throughout their careers, including a friendly free throw percentage competition during the season that Rodriguez won.

"Our bond runs deeper than basketball,' Rodriguez said of Stewart. "She is not just my best friend; she is family. Being able to share this journey with my best friend made committing 10 times more exciting and emotional."

It was a breakthrough for the Red Knights, who had gone a cumulative 37-35 the first three years of Rodriguez's career with losses in the BCIAA semifinals, championship, and quarterfinals to show.

The passionate Rodriguez progressively grew into a well-rounded leader for Rashida Suber's Red Knights. The on-court fire was always there, it was just a matter of reeling it in and picking and choosing when to let it out to inspire teammates and give her team a spark.

"My high school experience was not at all what I expected, but I can say that it has taught me some of the most important lessons to prepare me for the future," Rodriguez said. "High school has showed me, 'You have to go through it to grow through it.' Even when things are rough you must keep going. Even when you’re tired, overwhelmed, sad, hurting, or ready to give up you have to keep pushing. It will only make you stronger.

"I feel it has definitely prepared me for the next level. Everything coach Suber and coach Ashely did had purpose. Whether it was conditioning, defense, or reminding us to not eat junk food. Not just on the court but off the court. The way we carry ourselves and how we speak. They made sure we knew what it took to be a college athlete and held us to that standard."

Wyomissing's Amaya Stewart and Rodriguez at the latter's signing day. (Photo courtesy of Bill Snook)

Cal U is about an hour south of Pittsburgh in Washington County. The Vulcans are a part of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) that includes Kutztown, Millersville, and West Chester.

The Vulcans have won the most PSAC women's basketball titles with seven, the last coming in 2023.

Cal U has another Berks County connection, featuring former Berks Catholic standout Dejah Terrell, who won the West Division Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards for the Vulcans back in 2022.

"I think the way [Rodriguez and Terrell] feel about the game is very similar," said Strom, who was a standout at Steel Valley High School and then Penn State. "They’re both willing to put in the work for what they want to achieve. I expect [Rodriguez] to be a leader the moment she steps onto campus."

Strom, who is heading into her 15th season as head coach and has won the most games in Cal U women's basketball history, said she was impressed by Rodriguez's quickness and ability to score at all three levels. Strom also mentioned her ability to beat her defender and then find open teammates and the intensity Rodriguez plays with as strengths.

"I think Lex has a chip on her shoulder and feels like she has something to prove," Strom said. "I think she will fit right in with our program in that way."

Rodriguez joins Reading High teammate Tamyia Collier (Rutgers-Camden), Stewart (Albany), Berks Catholic's Madison Langdon (Randolph-Macon), and Conrad Weiser's Lauren Grabosky (Lebanon Valley College) as Berks girls basketball players planning to play in college.

(Please reach out if you are not mentioned, or know of someone from Berks not mentioned, who is continuing their basketball career in college.)