MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Iwakuni Women's Basketball starting center April Rhodes isn't your typical basketball player, or your typical Marine.
The 6'0" 31-year-old former college basketball star with a double major in math and physics from Fayetteville State University in North Corlina didn't join the Corps until the ripe old age of 29, after having spent five years as a elementary and junior high school teacher.
"I definitely took the long road to the Marine Corps," said Rhodes, a Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 aviation maintenance administration clerk. "I guess I always seem to take the difficult path, but that's what makes me who I am."
The desire not to take shortcuts landed Rhodes a full-ride basketball scholarship to Fayetteville State. For most high school athletes it would have been a dream come true.
Not for Rhodes.
"I turned down the athletic scholarship and instead accepted an academic scholarship and walked-on the basketball team," said Rhodes. "Even though basketball was a big part of my life, I wanted to keep my focus in the classroom."
Though Rhodes has steadfastly maintained the academic focus throughout her life, she always had a basketball in her hand anytime there wasn't a book in it.
"I've been playing ball since I could walk," said Rhodes, who honed her skills on a dirt court with a makeshift basket made from a bushel barrel in her hometown of Goldsboro, N.C. "It's definitely been a big part of my life."
That lifelong dedication recently landed Rhodes a spot at the All-Marine tryout camp at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and even though she didn't make the final cut, Rhodes said she was thankful for the experience.
"There were 25 players competing for six open spots on the team," said Rhodes. "In my mind I feel I should have made the squad, but you've just got to take those things in stride."
According to Juanita Clayborne, Iwakuni Women's Basketball head coach, Rhodes would have been a solid addition to the All-Marine team.
"She can hang with anyone," said Clayborne. "Sometimes it just comes down to a numbers game. I think they made a big mistake letting her go."
For her part, Rhodes said she will probably hang up the sneakers soon.
"I'll play one more season in Iwakuni, and maybe give the All-Marine team another shot," said Rhodes, "but then I'm going to trade in my basketball sneakers for golf shoes."
"Don't get me wrong, I still feel I can dominate these younger kids and teach them a thing or two," added Rhodes, "but the old body kind of needs a rest."
Rhodes plans on going back into teaching when her Marine Corps hitch is up in 2005.
"I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have served in the Marine Corps," said Rhodes. "It has given me a lot of added structure and I'll always be proud to have been a Marine."
"Teaching is my true calling though," she added. "I want to pass on my love of learning to the younger generation and instill in them that you can be anything you want to be with an education."
In the game of life, Rhodes definitely seems to have an A on her report card.