Rodney Rice Re-Enter’s Transfer Portal: What’s Next for the Former Hokies Guard?
For the second time in less than a year, former Virginia Tech guard Rodney Rice is heading back into the transfer portal.
Before the start of the 2023-24 Virginia Tech men’s basketball season, the Hokies and head coach Mike Young suffered an unexpected blow when Rice decided to leave the program in mid-October. Once the transfer portal opened, Rice made his move and ended up at Maryland, joining coach Kevin Willard’s Terrapins.
At Maryland, Rice played a crucial role for the team, which had a strong run in the Big Ten. The Terrapins advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament before falling in a heartbreaker to Michigan. Maryland’s NCAA Tournament journey also saw success, as they won their first two games before being eliminated in the Sweet 16 by Florida.
However, after the loss to Florida, a shake-up occurred when Willard left Maryland to become the head coach at Villanova. The coaching change didn’t sit well with Rice, and it didn’t take long for him to decide to enter the transfer portal once again.
Rice’s decision to re-enter the portal has raised plenty of questions. The Maryland native, who averaged 13.8 points per game and shot 43% from the field this season, is once again one of the most sought-after guards on the market. In the NCAA Tournament, Rice made his presence known with 9 points in a win over Grand Canyon, 16 points in a second-round victory over Colorado State, and 12 points in the loss to Florida.
Before transferring to Maryland, Rice played 8 games for Virginia Tech during the 2022-23 season, averaging 7.4 points per game and nearly 20 minutes of action. His departure left a major hole in the Hokies’ backcourt, putting extra pressure on Sean Pedulla to handle the point guard duties.
Now, as Rice looks for his next destination, speculation is swirling that he could follow Willard to Villanova. Whether that’s the case or not, it’s clear that Rice will have no shortage of suitors, with many programs eager to add his scoring ability and playmaking skills to their roster. The next chapter of Rice’s career promises to be an exciting one.