WATERLOO - After signing nearly 90 minutes worth of autographs Saturday afternoon at Young Arena, Dennis Rodman - all 6-foot-8 of him - stood up, stretched and soaked it all in.

Waterloo, Iowa … wow, said the former NBA rebounding king hours before he performed Saturday night, live, in front of 800 or so fans in a one-night stint for the Cedar Valley Jaguars.

After meeting Rodman, much of Waterloo seemed to have a similar sentiment, Wow.

While fan after fan shuffled before him, Rodman signed, shook hands and, brace yourself, even managed a smile or two.

Im very fortunate to have that aura, that people still want to be around me, Rodman told The Courier.

This was the same guy who, in 1997, wound up and kicked a court-side cameraman right between the wickets?

This was the same man who, just earlier this month, left an entire Malaysian nation, the Philippines, fuming when he refused to meet with the media or fans?

Sure didnt seem like it Saturday, what with Dennis the Menaces sunny disposition and all.

But, of course, the circus-like atmosphere that surrounds the five-time NBA champ-turned-entertainer was also as present as ever Saturday.

He rolled up to his afternoon autograph session in a white stretch limo. Once inside Young Arena, cameras clicked furiously. And, mixed in with all the grandmas and grandkids, a few nubile females had The Rodmonian sign some … um, unmentionables.

I get this all the time, dude - around the world, Rodman explained. In the Philippines, it was pathetic. I couldnt get anywhere. Everywhere I went, it was crazy.

London, Switzerland, anywhere I go its … nuts. People are just like, ‘Wow.

And it is with good reason. You dont see many Dennis Rodmans strolling through downtown Waterloo. The guys body contained more ink than the Sunday sports section youre holding. At his signing, he had an earring protruding from his bottom lip and spiked studs in each nostril.

Since his days with the Detroit Pistons, ending in 1993, Rodman has undergone a tumultuous transformation - from clean-cut to I-dont-give-a-… .

I was bored. I just wanted a new start, a new outlook on things - the game of basketball and as far as life is concerned, he said, explaining the renegade Rodman that was born in the mid-1990s in San Antonio and Chicago. So its like, ‘Im free, I can do what I want, you know?

He is free to tour the globe, bouncing from continent to continent, earning appearance fees for brief stints with minor league basketball clubs, even six years removed from his last NBA game.

Why is the The Worm still wiggling on the hardwood?

Because I like to entertain people, Rodman explained. Its great to just go out there and compete.

Despite the fact the 45-year-old is now, understandably, a shell of his former self on the court - he did a lot of walking up and down the court in the Jaguars 123-101 loss to Elgin (Ill.) - on Saturday afternoon a line of star-struck fans snaked all the way outside of Young Arena just for 6 seconds in his presence.

Waterloo, it reminds me of Bokchito, Oklahoma, Rodman said, referring to his hometown while in college at Southeastern Oklahoma State in the early 1980s.

Coming down here, it keeps it real - especially for me. I mean, when I first started (playing basketball), it was like this. So, you come back here, and it kinda refreshes your memory a little bit.

You need to keep everything in perspective, keep everything humble.

Despite Saturday nights somewhat sparse crowd, all and all, Iowa enjoyed its taste of the spectacle that is The Rodman World Tour.

He always brings excitement, (that) is what the attraction is, explained Gwen Redd, 27, who drove from Des Moines to see Dennis the Menace.

The main attraction played to rave reviews Saturday in downtown Waterloo. The star of the show wasnt surprised.

You know, Rodman said, smirking, I dont really disappoint too many people.

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com

Elgin drops Jaguars, Rodman

WATERLOO - Long ago, Dennis Rodman earned the moniker The Worm for his frantic wiggling while playing pinball as a youth. Saturday, he sought another high score.

It never quite came - for the NBA star or his team for the night, the Cedar Valley Jaguars. Rodman reeled in 18 rebounds but he had just two points in 35 minutes, as Cedar Valley (5-9) was dealt a 123-101 setback to Elgin. A late 18-4 run put the game away for Elgin (11-3).

I think I did pretty well, said Rodman, assessing his performance. Anytime you guys (in Waterloo) want me to come back, Ill come back.

Rodmans rap-sheet on the night? A small one - he got in a light shoving match after a battle for a second-half rebound, with Elgins Bob Carmody.

ELGIN (123) Thomas Streety 2 3-4 7, Frank Richards 6 6-6 21, Luke Condill 3 0-0 9, Bob Carmody 0 0-0 0, Eddie Hebert 2 0-0 6, Nick Zachery 6 3-3 21, Sherick Simpson 6 6-10 19, Corey Brown 0 0-0 0, Brandon Moore 10 9-10 31, Matt Zachery 3 1-2 9. Totals 38 28-35 123.

CEDAR VALLEY (101) Dennis Rodman 1 0-0 2, Marcus Meeks 1 0-0 3, Rod Stevenson 2 0-0 4, Terrance McGee 10 4-4 28, Wayne Clark 6 1-2 14, Chaun Henley 2 0-0 4, Quentin Thomas 1 1-2 3, Donnie Dobbs 8 5-6 23, Curtis Carter 0 0-0 0, Aaron Middendorf 3 3-6 10, Leighton Nash 5 0-0 10. Totals 39 14-20 101.

Elgin 47 21 20 35 123

Cedar Valley 31 27 25 18 101

3-point goals Elgin 19 (Richards 3, Condill 3, Hebert 2, N. Zachery 6, Simpson 1, Moore 2, M. Zachery 2; Cedar Valley 9 (McGee 4, Clark 1, Thomas 1, Dobbs 2, Middendorf 1. Total fouls Elgin 22, Cedar Valley 26. Fouled out none.