1,000 Points and Counting

Spectators cheering on the men’s and women’s basketball teams at last week’s Scarlet Raptor Rally witnessed history in the making. The Rutgers University–Camden Athletic and Fitness Center grew electric when, in the women’s game against The College of New Jersey, guard Rahzirah "Rahz" Blocker shot a three-pointer and reached 1,000 career points. With the fourth-quarter bucket, Blocker became just the 16th player in the history of the Scarlet Raptors women’s basketball program to accomplish the feat.

The timing could not have been better for Blocker, who celebrated her achievement with 250 members of the university community at the doubleheader event, which featured free food, prizes, student performances, and other festivities. “The stars aligned,” Blocker said. “There were so many people there, including my family, to embrace and share the moment.” The shooting guard also acknowledged a sigh of relief, realizing the work she had put in behind the scenes and on the court had landed her in the Rutgers–Camden history books.

After she earned an associate degree in physics engineering, Blocker sought to transfer to a four-year school that offered both STEM and social science programs that piqued her interest. She found these at Rutgers–Camden, where she was accepted into the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business. Blocker majored in computer science, taking courses like Programming Fundamentals, which furthered a love of computer programming and language learning she has held since high school. Blocker graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science in 2023 and is now pursuing a second bachelor's degree in philosophy, which stems from a longstanding interest in ancient thinkers and texts.

“Congratulations, Rahzirah, on scoring 1,000 points as a Rutgers–Camden Scarlet Raptor,” said Rutgers–Camden Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis. “Your journey as a student-athlete has inspired our community. I can't wait to see what else you achieve as you pursue your second Rutgers–Camden degree and continue putting points on the scoreboard!”

Blocker drives to the basket

Blocker, alongside her family, celebrates her 1,000 point milestone

Photo Credit: Nikkita Hovel

Blocker did not play at community college and promoted her athletic talents in order to catch the interest of the basketball team. At the time, Blocker played in a league and created highlight reels of her play. She sent one to former Scarlet Raptors coach Annette Reiter, who responded.

“We exchanged messages, and she got me here to visit,” Blocker said. “Pretty much since the visit, I thought, ‘Yes, this is where I want to be.’ That's why I'm here.”

The student-athlete has played basketball since the age of 10 and, more than ever, maintains a true devotion to the sport.

“In the beginning, it was a love/hate relationship,” Blocker said. “But now it's grown into something that I can't go a day without, whether it be playing, watching it, and thinking about it—it's just always on my mind,” she said. Blocker hopes to play international professional basketball after her anticipated graduation with a second degree in May 2025.

“I'm going to give everything I’ve got to that. If that were not going to happen, I do plan on staying in the basketball realm, whether it be coaching or just helping out,” Blocker said.

Until then, the shooting guard and two-time Raptor Athlete of the Week reflected on her accomplishment and the record-breaking possibilities to come.

“Knowing that I'm the 16th woman in program history to hit 1,000 is exciting,” Blocker said. “On top of that, I have another year left, so I could possibly move up in the rankings or break other records. In addition to our team's success, that keeps me moving.”

Design: Karaamat Abdullah