Keith Rendleman broke Brian Rowsom’s all-time rebounding record on Feb. 20  during a 84-61 loss against Old Dominion.  He finished with 15 points and 11 boards, passing Rowsom’s career mark of 1,015 rebounds.

After completing his final season against Drexel on March 2, the senior ended his career with 1,055 rebounds, while also earning the fifth most steals in school history, with 140 and the second most blocks, with 142.

Rendleman also finished his Seahawk career as the program’s fourth leading scorer with 1,516 points.

Playing in his final year at UNC Wilmington, the senior from Iron Station, NC has cemented his status as one of the most decorated players in the men’s basketball program history.

However, Rendleman wasn’t thinking about the record-breaking heading into the Old Dominion game.

“The record was a pretty big deal because you had coaches, students, players and family members that kept reminding me of it,” he said. “I really didn’t think of it that much going into the game. I just went in and played like it was a regular game.”

Rendleman’s double-double against the Monarchs was No. 17 on the season, as he finished the year tied with Towson’s Jerrelle Benimon for the most double-doubles in the nation with 20. Rendleman finished the year averaging 17 points and 10.5 rebounds, earning him his second consecutive first-team All-CAA honor.

As far as the rebounding record, Rendleman didn’t even know he broke the record until after the ODU game was over.

“I really didn’t find out about the record until after the game,” he said. “I was more upset that we lost, so it really didn’t hit me at the time that I just broke a record. Thinking about it and looking back on it now and having some time to enjoy it, breaking the record feels really good.”

While his college basketball career may be over, Rendleman has had a fun ride through all the highs and lows of his journey.

“When I first came here to UNCW, I didn’t really picture myself coming in and breaking the rebounding record, so that was a big accomplishment for me,” he said. “Being at this school and having your name on top of the record books is really something. As long as I can leave here being remembered as someone, than that’s a really good accomplishment.”

The senior does not plan on leaving behind the sport of basketball after he graduates, however, as he would like to continue playing the game whether it’s in the NBA or another professional league overseas.

“Hopefully I can continue to keep playing,” he said. “We’ve got a great staff that knows a lot of people and I have a lot of scouts looking at me. So yeah, as long as I can play anywhere and make a living off of it, I’d be fine with that.”

Moving forward, Rendleman is not just leaving behind his name in the record books, but he also hopes he left the younger players something they can use to carve out their own legacies in a Seahawk uniform.

“I just hope that I was able to show some young players to never quit, never give up, always fight through”, he said, “and even if things don’t bounce their way, you just got to keep fighting.”