Following the 2023-24 season, Maryland men’s basketball was in need of help all over the roster.
Rodney Rice was one of five transfer-portal additions by the Terps. Old Dominion head coach Mike Jones, who coached him at two different stops, says Rice was exactly what Maryland needed.
“He’s just what the doctor ordered for them,” Jones said. “I think that team is gelling in just the perfect way. You’ve got so many guys. This is a total roster overhaul in terms of skill level. This year’s team and last year’s team are drastically different from one another, so it’s been a great thing for me as a fan to watch. Then to watch Rodney’s ability to affect winning at that level has been huge.”
After one season away from college hoops, Rice has found a home in College Park. The 6-foot-4, 198-pound guard was averaging 13.4 points on 45.5 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent shooting from 3-point range entering the Terps’ game against USC on Feb. 20.
Rice began his college career at Virginia Tech in 2022-23, but his freshman season was limited to nine games due to a broken ankle and right pinky. Rice dealt with a dislocated shoulder during his high school days at DeMatha, but the injuries at Tech were tougher to handle because they were more serious and he was out a longer period of time, he said.
“It was difficult being on the bench and not being able to play,” Rice said. “It’s hard watching both practice and the games. That was probably the moment I felt the most down throughout my life just because I was going into a new environment expecting to grow with my teammates as a person and a player and then that happened and it’s like, ‘Dang, I’m stuck now.'”
Rice averaged 7.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in his lone season with the Hokies, including a 17-point effort against NC State in the ACC tournament. Jones, who coached Rice for one year at DeMatha, was the associate head coach at Tech at the time.
“I’ll say he clearly was going to have a huge impact on us and even in the small sample size that he had with us, you could see that,” Jones said. “He showed what he was capable of against NC State in the ACC tournament. He showed what his value could have been. Unfortunately, the injuries didn’t allow it to happen.”
Rice stepped away from the Hokies in October 2023 following the injury-riddled season, opting to sit out the 2023-24 season.
“Things just didn’t play out at Virginia Tech like the way it should’ve,” Rice said. “That time, it was tough watching competitive basketball as well. Couldn’t play competitively. … It was great to be around family during that time.”
Rice announced his intention to transfer to Maryland in March 2024, giving the Clinton, Md., native a chance to play close to home. He also hit it off with Terps head coach Kevin Willard, who would give Rice the freedom to play his game.
“We have a good relationship,” Rice said of Willard. “He likes cracking jokes. Our relationship is cool. A relationship with the head coach is important to me and something that always feels good.”
Willard said following a 69-66 win against Nebraska on Jan. 19 that he was pleased with how Rice had been getting better and better throughout the season.
“Rod’s been progressing,” Willard said. “For a guy that only played [nine] games his first year to sit out a year and now have to go through [the Big Ten] night in, night out, I think he’s doing a great job.”
Rice had to regain his physical strength with the Terps, but it would take more than physical therapy and workout sessions to do so. More importantly, it took time.
“You think about it,” Rice said of playing after being injured. “For instance, my ankle — when I came, I didn’t want to jump for real because I was scared if I came down wrong or on someone’s foot. I was definitely thinking about it. It just takes time. Over time it exits your head.”
Now able to fully showcase his abilities, Rice has worked his way from sixth man to the starting lineup. His success should hardly come as a surprise. His father, Rodney Rice Sr., also played college hoops.
Rice Sr. played for Boston College and Richmond. The 6-foot-3 forward averaged 12.6 points and 2.7 assists during his three-year tenure with the Spiders, leading them to the Sweet 16 during the 1987-88 season.
Rice Sr. now uses his knowledge of the game to support his son.
“He’s at all of the games,” Rice Jr. said. “He tells me what he sees, good and bad, what to do better, what I need to keep doing, so it’s always good to listen to him critique my game afterward.”
Rice came off the bench in the first four games of the season but has started since then, providing exactly what Maryland needs.
“It’s just confidence,” Rice said. “I know what I can provide. It didn’t matter to me. I was still playing the minutes I wanted to play. But it was just the coach’s decision and whatever that decision is we’re going to roll with it.”
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