“Island Boy” is permanently inked on sophomore forward Magnum Rolle’s right forearm. The 6-foot-10-inch Freeport, Bahamas, native lives with a self-described “laid-back” Caribbean attitude. But when a spinal disc injury limited his production early in the season, even Rolle admitted his calm demeanor was shaken. “It hindered me a little bit,” he said. “It kind of tweaked at my confidence.” Rolle said he still experiences some slight pain, but a physical rehabilitation routine with weights, stretches and pushups has relieved his spinal cord tension. “I kind of got my swagger back … my confidence back,” he said. “I’ve been feeling good lately. Coach [John] Brady has been talking to me a lot about how to focus and how to get motivated.” As the Tigers (12-4, 1-1) continue SEC play Wednesday against Ole Miss (12-5, 1-2), Brady said his squad needs the swagger Rolle displayed Jan. 6 in LSU’s 66-49 victory over the University of Connecticut. Rolle recorded four points, three rebounds and two blocked shots during 14 minutes of play against the Huskies. Brady said if Rolle builds on his performance against Connecticut he will make LSU “a lot better” in SEC play. “I thought Magnum’s play [against Connecticut] was outstanding,” Brady said. “I thought he was the best he’s played. He doesn’t have to be the leading scorer or the leading rebounder. But what I want him to play with is a lot of emotion and be competitive.” Rolle said being an off-the-bench player allows him to bring energy to the court. “When I get going, it kind of gets everyone hyped because I’m the laid-back one,” he said. “Being that I’m an island boy, it takes a lot to get my nerves worked up. Once I get going, everyone gets crunk.”
The journey of the “island boy” from the Bahamas to LSU began when Laurinburg Prep, a private school in North Carolina, recruited Rolle for his high school senior year. Sophomore center Chris Johnson played with Rolle at Laurinburg before both players signed with LSU. Johnson said 15 players from their Laurinburg squad now play Division 1-A basketball. “[Rolle’s] just a goofy guy,” Johnson. “He’s just a good person all around.” The then-18-year-old Rolle lived independently in a dorm, although he said this experience was familiar because of his Bahamas upbringing. “When I was growing up my mom was always working two or three jobs, so I would hardly see her,” Rolle said. “I had to take care of my little sister. I’m used to being by myself and being responsible.” His mother Maryse Rolle, 49, said sending her son to the United States was difficult but necessary. “It was very hard,” she said. “It took over a year to get used to it. Education comes first. I have to make that sacrifice. My mind was there [with him] wherever he was.” The responsibility Magnum Rolle learned at an early age was tested last year when his father died of testicular cancer. “I’ve still got the funeral book hung up in my room with some pictures of him,” Magnum Rolle said. “It still bothers me. Even though he’s never been to the U.S. with me, I look over my shoulder on the bench sometimes, and I can picture him back there just fussing on me like, ‘Hit him harder … go get the rebound.’ I just use that to stay focused and thank God at least I have a way to communicate with him somehow.” Magnum Rolle has a tattoo in memory of his father and another that pays tribute to his emotional bond with his mother. “I just don’t get [tattoos] to get them,” he said. “I get them for the everyday struggles I go through.” Rolle, who describes himself as a “mama’s boy,” said he misses his family and home. “That’s my baby,” Maryse Rolle said. “That’s my heart.” Maryse and Magnum Rolle’s bond perhaps began when Maryse Rolle decided to name her son after a famous television character. “My mom was infatuated with Tom Selleck and the TV show ‘Magnum P.I.,'” Magnum Rolle said. Maryse Rolle said she only had one cable television channel when deciding her future son’s name. “Every week we watched ‘Magnum P.I.,'” she said. “That was my favorite. He was so kind. I wished when my son grew up he would be like him. My dream came true.” The first time his mother saw Rolle play as an LSU Tiger was in the 2006 Final Four game against UCLA. She plans to eventually move to the United States to be closer to her son. “I know one day I’m coming,” she said. “I would love to be there, watch him, cook for him. I pray. I keep praying. I miss him a lot.” Magnum Rolle said he wants to become a “tremendous kid on the court” while keeping his team role in mind. But off the court, he said he has a greater goal focused on his “island boy” roots. “[I want to] stay a good person, stay humble, stay hungry and never forget where I came from because that’s a big part of me,” he said. “I carry it with me. I keep home in my heart always. I’m constantly thinking about others.”
—–Contact Amy Brittain at a [email protected]