His late father played at Colonial Life Arena. Now RJ Howell can win a title there
Brandon Wallace often does a double-take when he sees RJ Howell’s mannerisms or his play on the basketball court.
Wallace has flashbacks of the Gray Collegiate senior’s late father, Rolando Howell, a teammate of Wallace’s at South Carolina. The two were on the Gamecocks’ 2004 NCAA tournament team when Howell was a senior and Wallace a freshman. Rolando Howell, 34, died in 2016 from complications after he broke his C5 vertebrae in an accident.
“Sometimes he would say something and you flash back, and I tell him he sounds just like his father,” Wallace said. “Some of RJ’s mannerisms and the way he says things remind me of his pops. That same heart and intensity he plays with is just like his dad.”
Rolando Howell helped Lower Richland High to a state championship in 1999 and was a McDonald’s All-American his senior year. He started 66 games in his four years at South Carolina before playing overseas for 12 seasons.
Rolando’s death took a toll on Wallace, their former Gamecock teammates and the Howell family. RJ was 15 years old when his father died. He said his dad had a big influence on his basketball career and was on him to keep his grades up.
RJ thinks about his dad often and hears stories from Wallace, and his family still displays Rolando’s old jerseys. RJ watches old highlights of his father, who he calls “The Block Master.” Rolando Howell averaged 1.1 blocks his senior season at USC.
“My dad understood the game well and that is what I am trying to do. I’m trying to get a better understanding of the game,” RJ Howell said. “We had a good relationship. He kept me in the gym, stayed working out around Carolina. He always told me to stay focused and have good grades, because if you don’t have good grades you can’t go to school or anything.”
The 6-foot-5 RJ played his three seasons at Airport High School before transferring to Gray Collegiate for his senior year. The War Eagles are going for their third straight Class 2A title Friday against Whale Branch.
At Gray Collegiate he was reunited with Wallace, an assistant there who tries his best to watch over RJ along with the rest of the War Eagles coaching staff.
“It is comfortable. You can’t describe it. No better feeling than a coach that played with your dad,” RJ said.
He’s part of Gray’s starting lineup, averaging 5.1 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. The senior had a season-high 18 points Jan. 4 against Oak Ridge and pulled down a season-best 12 rebounds against Calhoun County on Jan. 21.
But RJ’s role goes beyond stats. He’s usually responsible for guarding the opposing team’s best player, something his dad was known for during his playing days. He had to guard four-star prospect John Butler when Gray played Christ Church in the third round of the playoffs.
Now he expects to guard Nick Pringle, Whale Branch’s all-state player and Wofford signee, on Friday in the title game.
“Ro could guard all five positions. Would throw him on the best player,” Wallace said. “We do the same with RJ. He is going to work.”
“It is good having a guy like RJ who puts his hard hat on guarding other people,” Gray head coach Dion Bethea said. “He plays so hard and it is a big part of what he does.”
Now, RJ hopes to close out his career with a state title at Colonial Life Arena, the same building where his father played most of his home games at USC.
“First time to be in the arena other than camps with that much on line. His dad’s team won the state championship in high school. He can get a chance to do that,” Wallace said. “It is going to be pretty exciting. I’m pretty sure it will be emotional.”
Championship schedule
Where: Colonial Life Arena in Columbia
Tickets: $12 per person (5 and younger free). Clear bag policy in effect.
TV: Games will be broadcast statewide on Sinclair Broadcast stations and locally on WACH Fox 57.2 and 1250. The Dutch Fork game will be on WACH Fox.
Internet: Games will be on www.nfhsnetwork.com (Subscription required)
Friday, March 6
Class 2A Girls
North Charleston vs. Christ Church, 3:30 p.m.
Class 2A Boys
Gray Collegiate vs. Whale Branch, 5 p.m.
Class 5A Girls
Clover vs. Goose Creek, 7 p.m.
Class 5A Boys
Dorman vs. Dutch Fork, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 7
Class A Girls
High Point Academy vs. Military Magnet, 10:30 a.m.
Class A Boys
Great Falls vs. Scott’s Branch, noon
Class 3A Girls
Keenan vs. Marion, 2 p.m.
Class 3A Boys
Keenan vs. Wade Hampton, 3:30 p.m.
Class 4A Girls
North Augusta vs. South Pointe, 5:30 p.m.
Class 4A Boys
Ridge View vs. Myrtle Beach, 7 p.m.
