Renaldo Balkman

Renaldo Balkman (born July 14, 1984) is a Puerto Rican-American professional basketball player who currently plays for Capitanes de Arecibo of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). He played college basketball for the University of South Carolina and has represented the Puerto Rico national team in international competition.

Early life and education

Balkman was born in Staten Island, New York, and prior to attending Laurinburg Institute, he was at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. At Laurinburg, he led his team to 40–2 record and No. 1 national prep school ranking.

College career

Recruitment

Balkman was a little known player in high school at the Laurinburg Institute, but he was discovered in 2002 by University of South Carolina coach Dave Odom, who instantly saw his potential. According to Odom, "I remember the first time I saw Renaldo Balkman. I was sitting in Orlando in a gym with (South Carolina assistant coach) Barry Sanderson and I asked him 'who is that kid with the dreadlocks? That's the guy we need'. He came back and said nobody knows his name." Balkman was recruited and signed by Carolina, having received little to no interest from any other major basketball programs.