WINTER HAVEN – It's not uncommon to hear about hard work and dedication resulting in a recipe for success for young athletes. Polk State Basketball guard Rod Timmons is a testament to what can come from those things.

Timmons, 22, spent the 2022-23 season as a volunteer student manager for the program. As the 2023-24 season approaches, he now finds himself listed as a player on the roster.

"I'm so proud of myself," Timmons said. "It shows what love of the game and dedication can do."

A 2020 graduate of Winter Haven High School, Timmons didn't play basketball in high school. He played just a little Amateur Athletic Union basketball, but that didn't stop him from trying his hand at playing collegiately.

"Development-wise, I was a late bloomer," Timmons explained. "I wasn't as good as everyone else. I had a low basketball IQ. After I graduated high school, I started trying to figure out how to work on my game. I worked on fundamentals and ball handling. My game just developed from there."

Following high school graduation, Timmons picked up a part-time job at the Winter Haven Recreation & Cultural Center where he served as a camp counselor and worked with local youth. Many of those youngsters attended the Brandon Giles Skills Camp, which started to familiarize Timmons with Polk State College.

"A lot of kids from around the community looked up to me," Timmons noted. "That really kept me going."

When he wasn't on the clock, Timmons spent his time playing basketball. Between working on basketball, conditioning, and lifting weights, Timmons spends about six hours per day trying to become a better player.

"The kid works hard," Polk State Head Basketball Coach Brandon Giles said. "He consistently puts in the work. He's shown what you can do when you're committed to something."

Now in his second year as a student at Polk State, Timmons first got the coaches' attention when he asked daily for a ball, so that he could shoot around when the Health Center Gymnasium wasn't in use. Up at 5:30 a.m., Timmons arrives at Polk State College's Winter Haven Campus at 6 a.m. each day.

"I had been playing pick-up basketball every day, but I thought I could be better than that," Timmons recalled. "I wanted to see if I could play college basketball. My classes were throughout the day, so I had to take care of my basketball workouts early."

A new opportunity

As Timmons and the coaching staff became familiar with one another, Giles gave him the opportunity to work with the team as a student manager. Timmons would also fill in as an extra body at practice.

"I really took advantage of the opportunity," Timmons said. "I enjoyed being around the team and coaches. I saw myself getting better each day. Every practice, I learned something new. That gave me confidence to make the transition."

In his role as a student manager, Timmons was tasked with duties such as cleaning up, filling water bottles, and packing uniforms for road games. While he served in that role, he continued to gain support from the likes of Giles, Equipment Manager Johnny Shaw, former Polk State standout T.K. Smith, former swingman Jordan Smalls, and current sophomore forward Jeremiah Russell.

"They helped me on and off the court," Timmons said. "They gave me the knowledge I needed. They saw the work that I was putting in and they gave me the confidence I needed to keep going."

"He knew he wasn't going to play last year, but that didn't change him," Russell said. "He works harder than anyone I know, and he doesn't stop. He loves the game and just doesn't give up. Once you get to know him, you realize he's just a great dude."

While Timmons didn't play basketball in high school, he was a member of the track and cross country teams. At 6-foot-0 and 160 pounds, Timmons isn't the biggest, most experienced, or most skilled player, but no one was better conditioned or worked harder during team drills.

"He brings incredible energy to practice," Giles said. "(Other players) see the work he puts in, and they see the things he did around here for them. He did a lot of dirty work that a lot of people on the roster wouldn't have been willing to do and he did it without complaint. People see him going hard during drills, so they know they have no reason to lollygag."

In the offseason and on weekends, Timmons runs the 800 meters independently in races across the area. He also trains regularly with Patrick Horne, CEO of Unlimited Sports Training, to improve his endurance, speed, footwork, and agility.

"In high school, I had a really tough track coach (named Ali Cannon) and he made you mentally tough," Timmons noted. "That's one area I knew I could compete on the basketball court. I went through a lot of hard days in track and cross country. From a mental standpoint, basketball has been easier."

From student manager to college athlete

Prior to the start of the Fall 2023 Semester, Timmons was granted a roster spot for Polk State Basketball. Timmons will redshirt for the 2023-24 season but hopes to be able to contribute in 2024-25.

"Walking into the gym and wearing 'Polk' on my chest means the world to me," Timmons said. "I'm proud of this journey."

While Timmons is a walk-on for this season, he won't have to worry about tuition costs. Prior to the start of the semester, he was given an academic scholarship that will cover the cost of classes. As far as basketball goes, his teammates have not hesitated to embrace him.

"He's really bonded with us," Russell said. "He's our teammate and we love him."

Although Timmons isn't expected to play during regular season games for the 2023-24 season, he saw the court for the first time in an exhibition against Caribbean All-Star Team in the Sports Network Showcase on Sunday at Southeastern University. Timmons made his first three shots, including a 3-pointer, to finish with seven points in a convincing Polk State victory.

"It was amazing," Russell said. "I knew his dreams came true. His opportunity came and he was ready for it. He's a great guy and God's going to keep blessing him."

Goals for the future

Timmons hopes to graduate with his Associate in Arts from Polk State before going on to major in Exercise Science at a four-year school. He hopes to one day work as an athletic trainer.

"I'd like to have a career where I'm around athletes and can mentor athletes," Timmons said. "I want to help them stay in shape and reach their potential."

For the first time this semester, Timmons is enrolled as a full-time student. Giles anticipates success for Timmons with whatever he does moving forward.

"His want-to is off the charts," the head coach said. "That's not always easy to find these days. I've never had a kid as committed as Rod Timmons. I love and appreciate the kid. He helps me keep my perspective some days. He's inspired me."