All-American Rice Signs With Miami
May 2, 2000
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Head men’s basketball coach Leonard Hamiltonannounces the signing of Lanier High forward Darius Rice (Jackson, MS) to anational letter of intent to attend the University of Miami next fall. Riceselected the Hurricanes over a number of schools including Kentucky,Mississippi State, Memphis and Arkansas.
“Darius (Rice) is tremendously gifted both academically andathletically,” said Hamilton. “He is extremely versatile with the skills toplay two or three different positions which is unusual for a player hissize. What really separates him from other players is his desire tocontinuously improve. Even though he has been very successful I think he hasonly scratched the surface.”
Rice (6-10, 205), a 1999-00 McDonald’s and Parade All-Americaselection, is widely regarded as one of the top high school players in thecountry. Recruiting guru Bob Gibbons ranks Rice as the 19th best player inthe nation while Prepstar Magazine ranks him as the No. 2 small forwardprospect in America.
“During my visit I felt very comfortable with Coach Hamilton andliked the team’s family atmosphere,” said Rice. “The Hurricanes are also oneof the nation’s up-and-coming programs. Last season they went to their thirdstraight NCAA Tournament and reached the Sweet Sixteen. Hopefully I can be apart of helping Miami advance farther in the tournament.”
Last season Rice averaged 25.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists,2.0 steals and 2.1 blocks per game in leading Lanier High School to a 31-7record and a runner-up finish in the Mississippi High School Class 4A Boy’sBasketball Tournament.
The 1999-2000 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year, Rice shot 56percent from the field, including 40 percent from three-point range, and 85percent from the line. Rice was also named first-team All-State, All-City,All-District and All-Metro by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger for the secondconsecutive season. As a junior Rice averaged 21 points and seven reboundsper game in leading Lanier to a 36-3 record and the Class 5A StateChampionship.
Rice, who plans on majoring in computer engineering, is also astandout in the classroom where he holds a 3.9 grade point average, is amember of the National Honor Society and received the Lanier High SchoolScience and Mathematics Award. In addition, Rice was named the recipient ofthe Kodak National Leadership Award.
On March 29th Rice played for the East squad at the McDonald’sAll-America game in Boston, Mass. Rice scored a team-high 24 points,including 20 in the opening half, connecting on 9-18 from the fieldincluding 4-8 from three-point range.
Rice is the third McDonald’s All-America in school history to signwith the Hurricanes joining center Tito Horford (1985) and guard StevenEdwards (1992), and becomes the seventh McDonald’s All-American to sign witha BIG EAST program this season. Other McDonald All-Americans to sign withBIG EAST teams include Darius Miles and Omar Cook (St. John’s), AndreBarrett and Eddie Griffin (Seton Hall) and Taliek Brown and Scott Hazelton(Connecticut).
“Having the opportunity to play in the BIG EAST Conference was also afactor,” said Rice. “The BIG EAST provides a lot of exposure and will allowme to see parts of the country I have never seen before.”Rice is the third player from the state of Mississippi to sign with theHurricanes over the last four seasons. Graduating senior Mario Bland (Jackson, MS) signed the Hurricanesin 1996 while freshman Leroy Hurd (Moss Point, MS) signed in 1998. “We are very happy with Darius’ decision,” said mother Brenda Rice.”My husband (Tom Rice) and I had the opportunity to watch a number of gamesthis year and we were very impressed with Miami’s level of play. We alsowanted Darius to be taught by the best and Leonard Hamilton is the type ofcoach that can help him grow both on and off the court.”
Rice, the nephew of NFL star receiver Jerry Rice of the SanFrancisco 49ers, is the fourth player to sign with the Hurricanes joining6-2 guard Joe Gordon (Palm Bay, FL), 6-10 forward/center Reo Logan (CountryClub Hills, IL) and 6-2 guard Rashid Dunbar (Bayonne, NJ).
