2023 Nebraska signee Eli Rice just getting started in basketball journey
When Eli Rice announced his commitment to Nebraska back in August, he was a relative unknown on the national recruiting scene.
The 2023 wing was an unranked prospect from Hendersonville (Tennessee) Beech, who had only played two high school seasons due to injuries.
After transferring to prep power IMG Academy in Florida for a post-grad season and now signed to a Big Ten program, the 6-foot-7 Rice is ready to put his name on the map.
“I just feel like I have a lot of potential that I haven’t tapped into yet,” Rice told HuskerOnline. “Nebraska was on me early, and it always felt like a family with them. I just feel like I have a lot of potential that I haven’t tapped into, and they see it. They saw it before anyone else did.”
Rice averaged 17.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game last season at Beech. He led the Buccaneers to a 33-0 before falling in the Tennessee Class 4A quarterfinals.
A self-described three-level scorer, Rice said he was immediately drawn to NU head coach Fred Hoiberg’s five-out offense and how he could play the 1, 2, or 3, depending on the lineup.
“They’ll be getting a versatile player who can do everything on the court,” Rice said. “I’m just ready to work and get better every day.”
Hoiberg said the instant interest was mutual the first time he saw Rice play. The lefty showed off his smooth perimeter shot and ability to finish at the rim. But Hoiberg was equally as impressed with Rice’s defensive length and potential.
“Really excited about Eli,” Hoiberg said. “He’s a guy that we followed very closely this summer, and we threw an offer at him very quickly after we saw the type of player that he was. Very versatile; has great size.
“That’s something that, when you look at this year’s roster, that we’ve talked a lot about. Eli certainly fits into that mold.
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Rice has ‘a world of upside’
IMG head coach Jim Carr has only been working with Rice for a few months, but he’s already seen limitless potential from the Nashville native.
“I absolutely love him,” said Carr, a former assistant at Rutgers and Rhode Island. “He’s long, and I think he’s still growing. Very, very versatile offensive wing, He can really handle the ball. Very, very good 3-point shooter and a very efficient scorer.
“I think the kid has the potential to be a pro.”
Rice’s quickness off the dribble and “crafty” finishing at the rim immediately stood out to Carr. But it’s been the three-star’s 3-point shooting and offensive IQ that has Carr so excited about Rice’s future.
“He’s very efficient with the ball,” Carr said. “He’s able to score at the rim; a very crafty finisher who can beat you to the rim with his length and his quickness. But his 3-point shot is exceptional. He’s got great, great intangibles. He’s a great worker and a very, very good teammate.”
When the 2022-23 college basketball season officially tipped off on Monday, IMG had 42 players suiting up for Division I programs around the country. This year’s post-grad squad features two top-level guards bound for high-majors.
But Carr said Rice quickly solidified his place at the table. Rice had 28 points in a recent scrimmage against fellow prep basketball power The Skill Factory. He scored 19 in just 15 minutes in another scrimmage this summer.
“He has a world of upside,” Carr said.
