NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion men’s basketball players Robert Davis Jr. and Caelum Swanton-Rodger have earned some preseason accolades from Blue Ribbon Yearbook and Lindy’s Sports.
In this year’s edition of the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, Davis Jr. was named to the Sun Belt Conference’s Preseason All-Conference Team and was tabbed the league’s Preseason Player of the Year.
The Lindy’s Sports 2025-26 preview magazine also has Davis Jr. listed as the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year and has him on its Preseason All-Conference First Team, while teammate Swanton-Rodger earned a spot on the Honor Roll as the league’s Best Defender.
“I am so happy for Rob and Cal both,” said ODU Head Coach Mike Jones. “The acknowledgement from national media says something about their hard work. Our entire team is proud.”
Davis Jr. is entering his junior season at ODU and made 33 starts and 34 appearances for the Monarchs last season. The Detroit, Michigan native led the country with 348 three-point attempts in 2024-25, finished fifth nationally with 3.41 three-points attempts per game, and was eighth in all of Division I with 116 made threes, setting a new program record for threes made in a single season. The guard was also first in the Sun Belt with 35:37 minutes per game.
Davis Jr. is ODU’s top returning scorer at 15.6 points per game. He had 28 outings where he scored in double figures, to include a season-high 32 points with seven threes in an 80-75 overtime win at ULM on Dec. 21. He hit a game-winning three-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining and finished with 23 points in ODU’s 64-61 victory over Texas State in the third round of the Sun Belt Championship.
A senior from forward from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Swanton-Rodger also made 33 starts and 34 appearances last season. ODU’s top returning rebounder, he finished second on the team with 167 boards (4.9 rpg) and was second in the Sun Belt in both blocks (61) and blocks per game (1.79). He pulled down a season-high 14 rebounds in a 73-71 win over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Nov. 15. Swanton-Rodger scored a season-high 18 points with 10 boards in ODU’s win over No. 11 Louisiana in the second round of the conference tournament on March 5 and set a new career high with seven blocks against Texas State the third round of the tournament on March 6.
The duo now share a connection with Coach Jones and ODU special assistant Odell Hodge. Heading into the 1994-95 season, The Sporting News tabbed Hodge the CAA Preseason Player of the Year and an All-CAA First Team selection in its College Basketball Yearbook. Hodge was also listed as the league’s Best Rebounder and Best NBA Prospect while Jones earned a spot on the Honor Roll as the CAA’s Best Defender and Most Versatile.
Old Dominion will host Hampton for a 2 p.m. exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 26 before opening its 2025-26 season at Miami (Ohio) on Monday, Nov. 3 in the first round of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
SEASON SPONSOR
Bon Secours is the Presenting Sponsor of Old Dominion University’s 2025-26 Men’s Basketball Season. Bon Secours is proud to operate its four hospitals and medical centers in Hampton Roads and is even more proud to serve the surrounding community with exceptional care. It’s our mission at Bon Secours Hampton Roads to treat the whole person — mind, body and spirit, to bring compassion to health care, and to be good help to those in need. Bon Secours – the health care you deserve from a team you can trust.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Men's Basketball Season Tickets: Secure your spot for all 14 of ODU’s home games this season, including the exhibition game versus Hampton, for just $215.
Women's Basketball Season Tickets: Enjoy every moment of Monarchs basketball with season tickets for $120 (adults), which includes access to all 15 home games.
Discounted season ticket rates are available for ODU Faculty & Staff, ODU Letterwinners, Young Alumni, Band & Spirit Parents and Military. Call for more information.
Mini-Plans: Want flexibility? Choose a mini-plan! Get tickets to six men's games starting at $120 or six women's games for $60 ($10 per game!). Additionally, fans can purchase a Norfolk State +2 mini pack starting at $81.
Single-Game Tickets: Mark your calendar—single-game tickets will be available starting October 14, except for the men’s game versus Norfolk State, which will go on-sale in late October.
Call the ODU Ticket Office at 757-683-3375 or online at odusports.com/tickets to secure your seats today!