by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Rob McClain Jr. is a 6-5 junior guard at NCAA DI University of Texas Rio Grand Valley (UTRGV). He is the first male NCAA DI player from Red Lake High School, Red Lake, Minnesota. He is also a junior college transfer from the United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) Thunderbirds in Bismarck, North Dakota.
“I’m 1/4 Muscogee Creek, 1/4 Red Lake Ojibwe and 1/8 White Earth Ojibwe,” said Rob. “I’m an enrolled member of the Muscogee Creek tribe out of Oklahoma but I was raised on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota. My mom is Native and she is enrolled and lives in Red Lake. My Dad is African American originally from Louisville, Kentucky but has lived in Red Lake for over 20 years now with my mom.”
The University of Texas Rio Grand Valley Vaqueros is located in Edinburg, Texas. The university has 29,463 students and is in the NCAA DI and Western Athletic Conference. The head coach is Lew Hill, graduate of Wichita State in 1999 and has a 45-57 four-year career record all at UTRGV. The university has over 120 undergraduate and graduate programs.
“I think he’s the best athlete on the team,” said Lew Hill, head men’s basketball coach at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. “He rebounds and can score in different ways. He’s a hard worker and a great kid. I expect him to contribute right away, especially rebounding and defensively.”
“I bring a lot of versatility to my team and I’m able to play a lot of positions so I’m not stuck doing one thing. Defense and rebounding are my strong suits and that’s my main focus to help my team this year,” added Rob.
“Growing up in Red Lake I was raised to be strong and resilient,” said Rob. “To have respect for others but to always stand up for what you believe in. To have the confidence to be outside of my comfort zone and most importantly to lead by example and always work hard.”
“He started with us in 3rd grade and I brought him along to some competitive tournaments we won,” said Chris Jourdain, Red Lake Junior HS and feeder program coach. “He was a coaches dream as far as a student first, his work ethic, attitude and the way he and his teammates would challenge each other in drills. I remember in 8th grade he could run sprints in 8 seconds down and back at the humanities court! He hit a serious growth spurt in 8th grade.”
“I use him as an example with my current JH and Elementary players when it comes to giving 100% in practice and what is possible for them if they put in the work. I always knew he would be good as he moved up, but never really knew how good, and he just kept amazing me in the huge section championship games he played in as part of the dynasty that went to state four years in a row,” added Chris.
“I always remember what a tournament director told me when we showed up for a 8th grade tournament: ‘I didn’t know you were bringing future NBA talent’. I used to carry his school record with me as we would get challenged about his eligibility and if he was a Red Lake student. Some refs got to know us and liked watching us play and would tell me ‘he owes me a dunk’ when he start throwing it down in 9th grade,” added Chris.
“My future is going back home on the reservation in all honesty,” said Rob. “If I’m able to play pro somewhere I will go but I’ve always seen myself as more of a stepping-stone for future Native athletes. As a college athlete this helps me connect to so many people and it helps me go to college most importantly.”
“There has been so many people like Ryan Holthusen, Roger White, Keveon Kingbird, Nolan Desjarlait, my parents and Francis Crawford that have influenced me to where I am and who I am,” said Rob. “All of these people showed me how I can make it to the next level and possibly further just by being great coaches and friends.”
“It is an extreme moment of pride and excitement to know that Robert accomplish getting a full Division I scholarship,” said Dad Robert, Sr. “Though there were a few bumps in the road Robert, a.k.a. Man, to his family and friends continuously worked hard in the classroom and on the multiple sports while attending Red Lake High School and graduated with honors. Rob is a patient, humble, knowledgeable, respectful, and honest person. He is the second oldest and includes five sisters and he makes each sister feel valuable and inspire them to be their best. Raising our son and daughters has always been for them to understand who they are as Muscogee Creek, Ojibwe, and African American. Understanding who you are enables you to achieve no matter where you’re from. Rob takes great pride in being raised and educated on the Red Lake Reservation and being a Rez Boy playing Rez Ball.”
“I was originally supposed to play Division III basketball,” said Rob. “Due to financial struggles I played JUCO basketball without knowing what I would do after that was over. I’ve had plans not go through and somehow I always find a way to make things work for the better.”
“My high school accomplishments are four state appearances, 1500 career points, 1300 career rebounds, 495 career steals and a quadruple-double and other awards I can’t remember as of now,” said Rob.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a player who led by example better than Rob McClain,” said Pete Conway, head men’s basketball coach at UTTC. “His work ethic when it comes to the game of basketball is unmatched by any player I ever coached. He would set the tone in practice and others would follow. He also put in extra work outside of practice on his own. He is a perfect example of what can happen if you go to a JUCO and put in the work in the classroom and on the court.”
Rob played in 32 games his sophomore year at UTTC last season where he was named an NJCAA All-American and averaged 23.1 ppg, 11.3 rpb, 4.8 apg, and was a 56.9% field goal, 38.5% 3fg, and 55.2% ft shooter. He led his team to the Region XIII Championship game by leading the conference in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals. He led the NJCAA in field goals made and defensive rebounding. McClain left UTTC as the all-time leader in rebounds (693), blocks (115) and steals (180).
“My UTTC accomplishments are being a two-time First Team All Mon-Dak Conference, 1300 career JUCO points and I was a JUCO All-American,” added Rob.
The 2019-20 Men’s Basketball Schedule is located here: https://goutrgv.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball
Awesome young man, proud of your accomplishments!
I’ve played on a traveling team with this man and I knew he would go to a D1 school sooner or later after watching him dunk on someone when he was a sophomore in high school.
When they say you can see a persons soul through their eyes. Rob does not just exemplify humbleness, respect, patience, hard work, resilience, perseverance and leadership. He lives it. The determination and motivation that exudes his persona. Is also showing love and joy. Sheer happiness. The team effort and the way he reads his teammates is majestic in its own way. Im proud of not just his character but the being himself. The heart of a leader and the compassion for the people. #13 Keep making us proud.