Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Eastern Kentucky on March 19, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 72
Final Score
Women's Basketball
58
at Eastern Kentucky
72
The University of Utah Athletics
Where Are They Now: Danielle Rodriguez
7/9/2018 8:35 AM | Women's Basketball
Ute fans might remember this Downey, Calif., native who was known for her dazzling passes and consistent defending during her time with the Utes, but for the last two seasons, she has been showcasing those skills overseas.Â
Danielle Rodriguez is getting ready to enter her third season with Stjarnan Basketball Club in Iceland. After graduating from Utah in 2016 with her degree in business marketing, Rodriguez set her sights on becoming a professional and hasn't looked back.Â
"Playing professionally has allowed me to see 10 different countries in the last two years," she said. "I have completed two years overseas and am planning to play another. During the summers, I work with multiple youth camps including Point Guard College."Â
Achieving her dream of becoming a professional basketball player came from hard work during her time at Utah. She started in 128 games, ending her career ranked fourth all-time in career assists. Rodriguez credits her time at Utah for preparing her for her life as an "adult."Â
"It was a roller coaster of four years that prepared me for life and being an 'adult'," Rodriguez said. "Everything I faced on the court, the trials and successes, all built a toughness and prepared me for the obstacles and opportunities I would face out in the real world. My coaches and professors challenged me, and never made anything easy as that's not how it is in life. I learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of and I owe that to my coaches and teammates."Â
Those obstacles became apparent when she began her career as a professional. At Utah, Rodriguez had access to non-stop support through athletic training and strength and conditioning coaches, but in professional basketball, things were a little different.Â
"As a professional, you are exactly what it means," she said. "You are in charge of your own workouts, staying in shape, being motivated, and taking care of yourself completely to be in your best shape and form. The professional level is also a lot more physically demanding."
Her motivation to play has been evident since starting her career in Iceland. She earned All-Icelandic first-team and All-Import team in 2018 after averaging 29 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals a game. Despite her successes on the court, it is her work off the court that has Rodriguez excited about the future.Â
"As a professional, the most rewarding thing I get to experience is coaching the youth teams in my club," she said. "It has been very rewarding and purposeful helping the youth grow as players and people. From a playing stand point, I really enjoy the new teammates I make and building the friendships with them and helping them grow as players as well."Â
Her passion toward coaching has continued to grow during her time in Iceland. And while her motto in life is to take it one thing at a time, she definitely sees basketball being a part of her future one way or another.Â
"After two years out of college, I have realized basketball is something I would love to keep in my life and coaching at the collegiate level is a goal for me one day."Â
Danielle Rodriguez is getting ready to enter her third season with Stjarnan Basketball Club in Iceland. After graduating from Utah in 2016 with her degree in business marketing, Rodriguez set her sights on becoming a professional and hasn't looked back.Â
"Playing professionally has allowed me to see 10 different countries in the last two years," she said. "I have completed two years overseas and am planning to play another. During the summers, I work with multiple youth camps including Point Guard College."Â
Achieving her dream of becoming a professional basketball player came from hard work during her time at Utah. She started in 128 games, ending her career ranked fourth all-time in career assists. Rodriguez credits her time at Utah for preparing her for her life as an "adult."Â
"It was a roller coaster of four years that prepared me for life and being an 'adult'," Rodriguez said. "Everything I faced on the court, the trials and successes, all built a toughness and prepared me for the obstacles and opportunities I would face out in the real world. My coaches and professors challenged me, and never made anything easy as that's not how it is in life. I learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of and I owe that to my coaches and teammates."Â
Those obstacles became apparent when she began her career as a professional. At Utah, Rodriguez had access to non-stop support through athletic training and strength and conditioning coaches, but in professional basketball, things were a little different.Â
"As a professional, you are exactly what it means," she said. "You are in charge of your own workouts, staying in shape, being motivated, and taking care of yourself completely to be in your best shape and form. The professional level is also a lot more physically demanding."
Her motivation to play has been evident since starting her career in Iceland. She earned All-Icelandic first-team and All-Import team in 2018 after averaging 29 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals a game. Despite her successes on the court, it is her work off the court that has Rodriguez excited about the future.Â
"As a professional, the most rewarding thing I get to experience is coaching the youth teams in my club," she said. "It has been very rewarding and purposeful helping the youth grow as players and people. From a playing stand point, I really enjoy the new teammates I make and building the friendships with them and helping them grow as players as well."Â
Her passion toward coaching has continued to grow during her time in Iceland. And while her motto in life is to take it one thing at a time, she definitely sees basketball being a part of her future one way or another.Â
"After two years out of college, I have realized basketball is something I would love to keep in my life and coaching at the collegiate level is a goal for me one day."Â
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballUtah: 66, Cincinnati: 73 | Big 12 Tournament | Utah Basketball Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, March 11
Utah: 75, Baylor: 101 | Utah Basketball Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, March 08
Utah: 78, Colorado: 92 | Utah Basketball Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, March 04
Utah: 81, Colorado: 67 | Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, March 01