#GRAD2BeARebelForever: Rodjanae Wade
UNLV Women's Basketball
 
No less than 65 UNLV current and former student-athletes would have been eligible to take part in the University's Spring Commencement ceremonies this week, including making that memorable walk across the stage inside the Thomas & Mack Center. COVID-19 had other ideas, of course, and the pomp and circumstance have been postponed for the Class of 2020. In their honor, each day this week UNLVRebels.com will tell the story of one member from our esteemed group of new grads.



Rodjanae Wade made sure that her final year at UNLV would be a memorable one, as she turned in one of the most impressive senior seasons in Lady Rebel history.
 
Those around the program always knew the Fresno, California, native had great potential, and she played a key role as a bench player in her first two seasons, including during the Lady Rebels' Mountain West regular-season championship run in 2018. But it was her junior year that really put her on the map and teased how high of a level she could reach on the court.
 
"By far, my biggest motivation for this year was how I ended last season," said Wade, who became the first player in team history to be named MW Sixth Player of the Year. "That really opened my eyes to what kind of player I could be if I put my mind to it. Every game this year I went in knowing if I put everything into it, if I approached games knowing the things that I do best and just tried to concentrate and excel at those, then everything would fall into place."
 
That it did for Wade, who would set several school and conference records, including most impressively the all-time record for double-doubles in a season with 21 (topping the previous mark of 20 held by UNLV Hall of Famer Linda Frohlich), while also tying the conference record. She was a monster on the boards in 2019-20, ranking fifth in the nation in rebounds per game with a MW-record 11.8 per game, and was also the NCAA's top offensive rebounder with 5.6 per contest. Her double-double total also ranked third in the nation, and she was four points away from becoming the first player to lead the MW in both scoring and rebounding during conference play in the same season in 14 years.
 
Even with all her stats and records now in the books, Wade's pulling off another noteworthy feat – becoming the first member of her family to graduate from college.
 
"Getting my degree this year -- it was very motivational for me as I knew my family didn't have the opportunity that I did. To get a full ride and play sports and still get an education has been a blessing, it's made me continue both for myself and to make them proud."
 
And there was no shortage of people helping Wade make the climb. When asked how many family members had originally planned on coming to Las Vegas for the graduation ceremony to see her walk on stage – "Oh, 100 -- at least! I had so many family members that were looking forward to it and had rooms and flights booked to watch me graduate and walk across the stage. And I'll be honest, it was a huge letdown when I first realized there would be no physical graduation, no chance to walk for real, and I was down about that at the start. But I had to think about that I made it this far and to look at the bright side and realize that I'm going to be getting my sociology degree and that's worth more than anything."
 
Her family still managed to Celebrate Wade during grad week, however, as her parents surprised her with a huge graduation car parade outside her house on Tuesday. As many as 60 cars, filled with family members and friends, drove by the house or lined up outside with signs on their cars, paint, balloons, banners while they honked their horns and offered congratulations.
 
"It meant a lot to me, it felt so good to see how many people support me and have been with me through this four-year journey. Although I'm making myself proud, that just showed how much I'm making my family proud as well."
 
It wasn't only her family's support that got her to this point to earn her degree, Wade was also quick to acknowledge and appreciate all the help from the UNLV Athletic Department, especially the team's academic advisor Kimberly Drew.
 
"The athletic department was always very helpful, since my freshman year when I came in and first met with Kimberly. I'm so thankful for her, I'm sure without her encouragement, I never would never have been on that court. She made sure I stayed on track and gave me any help I needed so I could succeed in class so I could also be on the court."
 
Wade's not ready to give up the sport of basketball just yet. She has already signed with the Wasserman Media Group with the goal of getting a spot in a WNBA training camp (whenever they open after the pandemic restrictions are lifted), or will work to continue her career overseas.
 
Wade said she wasn't even sure if UNLV was the right choice for her, but that she quickly knew once she got to campus. "Anyone that knew little RJ her freshman season would see a different person now," she said. "I'm more independent and responsible and I know my time at UNLV and those around me have helped me become the person I am today."

PLAYING FAVORITES
FAVORITE CLASS AT UNLV:
Between PBH 429: Education for Sexuality or SOC 433: Juvenile Delinquency - because there was always interaction and we talked about what was going on and how it could affect the current situation with those topics and subjects. Always great discussion.
 
FAVORITE PROFESSOR:
Dr. Daniel Krystosek - SOC 433: Juvenile Delinquency class - the way that he taught his classes and how he worked with me, very understanding with my requirements as a student-athlete. He always wanted the best for me and his students and I felt a great connection to him.
 
FAVORITE REBEL MEMORY:
In 2018 when we won the conference championship and were celebrating on our home court in the Cox Pavilion on Senior Night – that was a great feeling for us to get that far. (UNLV won it's first-ever Mountain West regular season championship with a 14-4 record).