Aggressive, tenacious, and talented – these three words describe Rajon Rondo perfectly. An American professional basketball player, who is mostly known for his triple-doubles. His long career is full of victories, as he has two championship rings and holds high places on records lists.
Rajon Rondo – Making of a Point Guard
Rajon Pierre Rondo, born on February 22th, 1986, was raised by a single mother, Amber Rondo in a modest home in Louisville, Kentucky. Rajon’s father was an almost non-existent figure in his early life. His mother is an incredibly strong woman as she managed to keep the family going and keep their kids out of trouble, despite working the third shift. It was her idea for Rajon to take up basketball because she was worried that her skinny son would be crushed if he went with his initial plan, football.
Encouraged by his mother, Rondo enrolled in Louisville’s Eastern High School and played for their basketball team. As a junior, he was named 7th Region Player of the Year and was given All-State honors. For his senior year, he transferred to Virginia’s Oak Hill Academy where he averaged a double-double and broke the single-season school record. In 2004 he participated in the annual McDonald’s game and Jordan Capital Classic Game and was named to a second-team Parade All-American. At the end of his high school, he was the all-time assists leader in a single season.
Rajon Rondo – College Career
Rondo attended the University of Kentucky and was a part of the top-rated recruiting class for 2004. Rondo averaged 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.6 steals per game in his freshman season. He broke the record for the most steals in a single season with 87 and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
The sophomore year was to be his last playing college basketball. During that time set the school’s record for most rebounds in a game and posted career-high 12 assists. He represented the US in the 2005 FUBA Under-21 World Championships in Argentina, where he was noticed by many NBA scouts. He won a gold medal at the Global Games in Texas.
Rajon Rondo – NBA Regular Season Debut
Rajon Rondo entered the 2006 NBA draft and was selected as 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns. Then, he was traded to the Boston Celtics and signed with them on July 4, 2006. He was recruited as a supporting player and started in only 25 games. His jump shot was faulty in his first year, causing him to slash for a teardrop or layup instead of shooting. Still, he recorded his first double-double and then career-high 23 points.
He began to play more after officially becoming a starter which resulted in posting higher and higher scores. As his rookie season concluded, he ranked in the top in steals in the whole NBA. He made himself visible amongst other rookies, as first in steals, second in assists and sixth in minutes. Unfortunately, the Celtics didn’t manage to go to the playoffs that year.
Next season Rajon Rondo was given more of a spotlight as a spot in the starting lineup. He spread his wings in the star team, training with NBA legends such as Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. He led the team in assists and steals, becoming a vital part of the team. Sadly, he was injured during the 2007-08 season but he quickly recovered and missed only 4 games. He was a star on the rise but despite his swift improvement, the team appointed a veteran point guard for the Celtics to reach the elusive playoff game.
Rondo joined forces with Sam Cassel as they marched to the playoffs as the first seed in the Eastern Conference. Their improvement was the best in Celtics’ franchise history and Rajon Rondo was considered for the Most Improved Player that year as he made his playoff debut. The Celtics went to the NBA finals, where Rondo gave incredibly strong performances, and despite injuring his ankle, was called a “star” of Game 6, by Lakers coach Phil Jackson. The Boston Celtics defeated the Lakers and won the 2008 NBA championship and Rajon Rondo acquired his first ring.
The 2008-09 season started with a nineteen-game winning streak for the Celtics. They managed to get themselves into Eastern Conference Semifinals. Rajon Rondo became the Boston Celtics player to have two triple-doubles in the regular season since Larry Bird and tied Bird’s record of three-triple doubles in the postseason.
Rondo became a solid and consistent player, in 2009 breaking Bob Cousy’s franchise record for most assists in a single season. He was criticized for his shooting but he improved it immensely, scoring as high as 30 points. He also became a triple-double threat and the Celtics made consecutive playoff appearances. The 2010-2011 regular season started with injuries for Rajon Rondo. He managed to play with foot disorder and missed ten games, because of a strained left hamstring and sprained left ankle.
Rajon Rondo – All-Star
In 2012 Rajon Rondo replaced injured Joe Johnson in the Eastern Conference’s team for the annual NBA All-Star Game. Later that year, he went on a streak of assists, having 10 or more in 24 consecutive games, and went on the league’s top with his assists. The streak remained active and restarted at the start of the 2012–13 regular season. He went as far as 37 games. In-game 38 he was ejected for his emotional reaction after his teammate was fouled. The season was cut short because in January 2013 Rondo couldn’t play due to his knee injury. Despite this, he became the assists leader again this year.
The injury turned out to be so severe that Rondo couldn’t start the 2013-14 season with the Celtics and played for their D-League affiliate, Maine Red Claws. He went back to the Celtics almost a year after he tore his ACL. His performance didn’t drop and soon he scored another triple-double. During the summer before the 2014-15 season, Rondo had an accident in his house and had to undergo surgery to repair his broken hand. He managed to recover and again posted many triple-doubles, including the 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists he recorded in his last game as a Celtic.
Rajon Rondo – Dallas Mavericks
In December of 2014 Rajon Rondo was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. It wasn’t the right move for anyone, especially for Rondo. He had trouble understanding some of coach Rick Carlisle’s techniques and often argued with him. As for other team members, there wasn’t any information about internal conflicts, but the lack of chemistry was visible on the court.
The defense improved a little bit but the team’s offense was much worse than before Rondo was traded. He was sent onto the bench after Game 2 of the playoffs. Both the team and Rondo agreed that it would be better for him to find another team and they gracefully announced that Rondo is indefinitely sidelined in an attempt to save face.
Rajon Rondo – Sacramento Kings
The next step in Rondo’s journey was a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings. He posted multiple triple-doubles and became the first player since 1977-78 to not have a turnover and record 16 assists and 16 points in a game. Rondo’s behavior caused some tensions on the court as he called a referee, Bill Kennedy a homophobic slur. It was after Kennedy publicly came out as gay. Rondo tried to apologize via Twitter but without the intended effect, it only aggravated the public’s reaction, so he issued an official statement.
Rajon Rondo – Chicago Bulls
Next season meant a new team for Rajon Rondo. He signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bulls, which reportedly made him 28 million dollars richer. As before, his individual performances were astonishing but the team chemistry was off. In the middle of the season, Rondo was suspended for one game because of his misconduct for the team. In April he was suspended indefinitely as a result of his thumb injury. The Bulls decided to cut their ties with Rondo, he was waived and went on a lookout for a new team.
Rajon Rondo – New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans offered Rondo only a 3.3 million one-year contract that turned out to be a fair deal, as he was diagnosed with sports hernia just a few days before the season opener. He debuted on November 13th, 2017 with only five minutes on the court. Two days later, the Pelicans gave him a bigger chance to prove himself to the team and he delivered. For the rest of the season, Rondo played in a starting lineup.
Rajon Rondo – Los Angeles Lakers
For the 2018-19 season, Rondo signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was supposed to mentor second-year point guard, Lonzo Ball. He debuted with a double-double in a loss to Portland Trail Blazers. Two days later, he got into a fistfight against Chris Paul over James Harden being fouled. Rondo was suspended for three games, which was followed by an injury upon his return.
He missed 17 games, just to come back and sprain his right finger in a third game he played. The sprain required surgery and he was ruled out until January 24th. When he returned, his performance was solid, as always, making him seen as almost unbreakable. He managed to get himself in 11th place on the most triple-doubles list and his first buzzer-beater, which helped the Lakers to win over the Boston Celtics. The Lakers re-signed Rondo for the next season. It turned out to be a great decision because, with his help, the Lakers won the 2020 NBA Finals and Rondo acquired his second championship ring.
Rajon Rondo – Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers
For the next season, Rondo departed from the Lakers and signed with the Atlanta Hawks, just to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in the same season. The Clippers then traded Rajon Rondo to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies waived him after agreeing to a buyout.
Rajon Rondo – Back with the Los Angeles Lakers
For the 2021-22 season, Rajon Rondo went back to the Los Angeles Lakers. He used to be a good asset for them and he definitely wants to prove himself this season. So far, he hasn’t had many chances to play, because of his hamstring injury. As he slowly goes back into the game, he fondly remembers his Celtics days and jokes about this season being the last of his career. He is the only one left in the game from the 2008 Celtics’ championship roster.
How many rings does Rajon Rondo have?
He has 2 rings so far, one from 2008 and one from 2020.
Who are Rajon Rondo’s parents?
He is the son of Amber Rondo and William Rondo.
