VALDOSTA — Looking around the Valdosta State men’s basketball team’s locker room prior to a game, one head stands out among the rest.

Maybe it’s because of the stylish sounds of Kanye West coming from his head phones, or maybe it’s the fact that at 6-foot-9, the senior center is closest to the ceiling.

Whatever the case, once Jon Rogers takes the floor he stands out among most in the Gulf South Conference.

Rogers is among the top players at his position, leading the league in blocked shots, second in field goal percentage and in the top five in rebounding.

“To be one of the top big men in the conference is an honor, because there’s a lot of top players out there,” Rogers said.

Rogers proved he was the top player in the GSC a week ago, winning Player of the Week honors.

During the span of three games, Rogers shot 72 percent from the field, blocked five shots and averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds a game.

“I had three double-doubles in a row,” Rogers said. “They thought that was pretty good and gave me Player of The Week.

Rogers’ prowess started before the week that featured losses to the University of Alabama, Lincoln Memorial and West Georgia.

Rogers, a former Lowndes High standout, has seven double-doubles this season and 17 in his career, making him easy to describe for coach Mike Helfer.

“He’s dominant,” Helfer said. “That’s the only word I can use.”

Having coached Rogers for just 14 games, Helfer knew what type of player was anchoring the Blazers before he became head coach this season.

“I knew he was a good player,” Helfer said. “Everyone in the state of Georgia knew he was a good player.”

This season he is proving it again, causing teams to send two, three or sometimes more players into the paint to guard him.

Even against a Division I team, UAB at one point had four players around Rogers.

“The ball goes into the post to Jon, and since he’s so well respected — probably the best big man in the league — they’re going to double on him,” VSU guard Mike Crain said. “And sure enough when the guys double down, he kicks it out to me or any of the other wings and we have to knock the shot down.”

As a four-year veteran at VSU, Rogers does more to help his team than put up statistics and attract attention. Before games he’s always heard making sure his teammates are ready to play.

“He’s always focused,” Helfer said. “He’s always the one that steps up and says something to our team.

“That just tells me he’s ready.”

Even though he’s a shot-blocking, two-hand slam dunking, elbow-ready rebounder with passion and a little touch of fury on the floor, Rogers’ pre-game preparation is much more calming.

“I always pray before I do anything,” Rogers said. “And, I listen to music to get my mind ready for the game.”

While Rogers’ head moves to rap outside the gym, leading up to a game the more relaxing rhythm and blues is his music of choice.

“It soothes my mind,” Rogers said. “My mind doesn’t get too excited or amped up to the point where I make more mistakes.”

Rogers puts in the hard work at practice each day, so come game time he can lead more by example than through words.

“I believe that I bring it every day,” Rogers said. “Either at practice or in the game.”

Rogers is one of Helfer’s most prepared players, and the first-year coach would like that aspect to rub off on the rest of the Blazers.

“I wish we fed more off him because he’s very good at preparing himself to play the game,” Helfer said. “I think we have some other guys that can learn from that.”

Even though Rogers likes to lead by example, he lets teammates hear it when he needs to.

“He’s not afraid to let guys know how he feels,” Helfer said. “I like that.”

Having played at VSU for four years while working to be among the league’s best, Rogers has gained the experience to be one of the leaders.

“That comes from being a veteran,” Crain said. “He knows what it takes to get the job done. He’s been there through tough games, so he knows when it’s time to get serious and get your game face on, and that’s just experience.”

Rogers hopes, the experience gained at VSU will lead the health and physical education major to a professional career in basketball.

As for now he will continue to prepare himself for each opponent the Blazers face while he stands out under the rim as one of the conference’s top players.

“It’s a privilege to be among the best,” Rogers said. “Because my hard work is paying off.”