Earlier this month Michigan State lost to UCLA 88-84 in the Big 10 tourney quarterfinals but was still good enough to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. The Spartans beat North Dakota State/Louisville in Buffalo last weekend and are battling UConn for a spot in the Elite 8 as we speak. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Michigan State parents Rodney Ward and Ayana Ball-Ward about their son Cam being a great scorer and making the NCAA tourney.
Your son Cam was born/raised in Upper Marlboro, MD, and you were his coach at Largo High School: what was the best part of having him play for you? Rodney: There were so many great moments. I have been coaching other parents’ kids for 30 years, so to have Cam for 4 years was a dream come true.
He helped lead the Lions to back-to-back state championships in 2024/2025: what did it mean to him to win a pair of titles? Rodney: It cements his legacy in the DMV, which is a hot-bed for basketball, as 1 of the better players in Maryland high school history.
He graduated as the all-time leading public-school scorer in Maryland history with 2716 career PTS: what is his secret to being a great scorer? Rodney: I told him to get as many dunks/layups/FTs as you can: the jumper will come. It also helps to be healthy/aggressive.
What made him choose Michigan State? Rodney: The family atmosphere, the campus, and Coach Tom Izzo…plus it is kind of hard to say no when Magic Johnson calls you!
What makes Izzo such a great coach? Rodney: He is a players’ coach, brings the same intensity each day, and is always fair. He genuinely loves his kids, which is why they all graduate and then come back to watch the current team.
He played 33 games this year and averaged 5.2 PPG while leading the team with 60 FG%: how was he able to come in and contribute right from the start? Rodney: His pedigree/upbringing and learning how to play the game the right way from a young age. Records are nice but Izzo has built a winning program and wants tough-nosed kids who want to win.
His fellow freshman Jordan Scott also grew up in the DMV area (Reston, VA) and played against Cam during high school: how has their friendship developed this year as they evolved from opponents to teammates? Rodney: It was not that hard: they have been facing each other since age 8-9 and now are roommates. They are very similar: 2 high IQ guys who could have left but chose to stay at a public school for 4 years. They are kindred spirits basketball-wise.
The Spartans lost their regular season finale to Michigan and their Big 10 tourney opener to UCLA: how were they able to bounce back last week with wins over North Dakota State/Louisville in Buffalo? Ayana: they just locked in, pulled it together, and focused on things that they had been slipping on.
Your wife Ayana is the girls’ basketball coach at your high school, and your other son Canaan is a sophomore on your basketball team: who is the best coach in the family, and who is the best athlete in the family? Rodney: Cam is probably the best athlete, he is the version 2.0 of me/my wife. She has won more state titles so she is the better coach. Ayana: We have 2 different coaching styles, but I have to give him credit because he knows what he is doing.
Any predictions for tonight’s game vs. UConn? Rodney: A big 2nd half comeback and the Spartans will pull it out by a bucket or 2.
