Dennis Rodman is one of the most famous and successful basketball players of all time, so it probably comes as no surprise that his children are athletic, too. But you may not have realized that Rodman's 18-year-old daughter, Trinity Rodman, just made history in more than one way as she set off on her career as a professional soccer player.
Trinity is the daughter of Dennis and his third ex-wife, Michelle Rodman (née Moyer). The two also have a 19-year-old son, Dennis "DJ" Rodman Jr., who plays college basketball for the Washington State Cougars. Dennis also has another daughter, 33-year-old Alexis Rodman, from his first marriage to Annie Bakes.
Trinity recently began playing in the National Women's Soccer League for the Washington Spirit. She made history when she was drafted to the team and during her first game. Read on to find out how, and for more on children of celebrities, See What Julia Roberts' 3 Kids Look Like as Teenagers.
Trinity is the youngest player drafted to the league.
Spirit Matchday MagazineTrinity was chosen second at the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) draft in January of this year. When she was selected by the Spirit, she became the youngest person ever drafted by the NWSL. The previous youngest player drafted was 19-year-old Sophia Smith in 2020.
Before deciding to start a career as a professional soccer player, Trinity had been enrolled at Washington State University. She was supposed to start playing with the college team last year, but that didn't happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, Trinity never played a college game before joining the NWSL.
And for more on another athlete's offspring, check out Dwyane Wade's Kids Are Not Happy About His Revealing Birthday Photo.
And she set another record at her first game.
Trinity Rodman/InstagramTrinity's first game with the Washington Spirit was on April 10. When she scored a goal, she became the youngest American to score a goal in league history. As reported by the Associated Press, the youngest person to score a goal in league history, period, was Ellie Carpenter, who was an Australian player on the Portland Thorns. She scored her goal 22 days after her 18th birthday; Trinity turns 19 next month.
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Her last name makes her more motivated.
Michelle Rodman/InstagramIn an April interview with The Guardian, Trinity said that being the daughter of Dennis Rodman helps motivate her when it comes to soccer.
"You could say it put a fire under me more than pulling me down," she said. "I was more in the mindset of, rather than saying, 'Oh, this is annoying, I don’t even have a name,' I was more like, 'Oh, I'll show these people I am an individual and I'm going to develop in soccer like he did in basketball,' so I think I’m more driven because of it."
Of being constantly asked about her dad, she said, "He is my dad at end of the day and I don't think it's gonna go away, so I just answer the questions and then move on."
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Her mom has given her her competitive spirit.
Trinity Rodman/InstagramIn The Guardian interview, Trinity was also asked if there is something she's not asked about that she should be. "Having a dad like I do, no one asks about my mom because she's obviously not an NBA star, but I just want people to know that my mom's been my support system in everything in life and she's my best friend and my rock," she said. "Even though she wasn't in the NBA, she has an extremely competitive and driven mindset, and she's an extremely strong woman. She's my role model."
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She and her bother "communicate sporadically" with their dad.
Michelle Rodman/InstagramTrinity and her brother, DJ, briefly attended the same college. He is still enrolled at Washington State University and is on the basketball team. In 2020, DJ spoke to the Seattle Times about the documentary The Last Dance, which covered the Chicago Bulls' six championship wins in the '90s. Naturally, their father was featured heavily.
DJ said he liked seeing clips of his dad during his early years in the NBA, and the article noted that DJ and Trinity lived with their mom and "communicate sporadically" with their dad.
"I think that's cool he was shy and still made an impact," DJ said. "Because right now in my basketball career, I'm also not really an outspoken player like he was on the Pistons. I think it's just cool I relate to him in that way.
Check out another celeb kid who became a basketball player in See What Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Sons Look Like All Grown Up.
