Texas Ex Sir'Jabari Rice Impresses in NBA Debut, Compares Spurs to Longhorns

For San Antonio Spurs fans that double as Texas Longhorns fans, watching Sir'Jabari Rice perform like one of the best players on the floor Friday wasn't much of a surprise given what he did in Austin last year.

Texas Longhorns fans had been waiting eagerly for former guard Sir'Jabari Rice to finally make his Summer League debut with the San Antonio Spurs. And when that moment finally came on Friday night against the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center, he showed why the Spurs were so quick to agree with him on a two-way deal right after the draft.

Rice had missed the team's first five games of Summer League due to low iron levels in his blood, per reports from the San Antonio Express-News.

But in just 16 minutes off the bench of the 79-73 loss, he posted 11 points, two rebounds, one assist, a game-high three steals and a block. Despite going 1 of 5 from 3-point range, he finished 4 of 8 from the field, getting to his spots in the lane and operating as the ball-handler in pick-and-roll actions on multiple occasions. He also finished with a team-high +7 plus/minus.

"I just love the game of basketball, so it was a blessing for me to be back," he said after the game."

For Spurs fans that double as Texas fans, watching Rice perform like one of the best players on the floor Friday wasn't much of a surprise given what he did in Austin last year when he won Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year while being one of the primary reasons the Longhorns made it to the Elite Eight.

Spurs Summer League coach Matt Nielsen has clearly caught wind of Rice's unique skill set, which is highlighted by the elite shot fake Longhorn fans never got tired of seeing last season.

"He's definitely crafty," Nielsen said. "He finds ways to put the defense under pressure. And he's a good teammate, very communicative. He was like that when he wasn't playing. He's a good all-around basketball player and a good teammate."

Before making his debut, Rice compared the Longhorns men's basketball program to the Spurs in regards to how the operation runs.

“This program is just second to none,” Rice said of the Spurs organization. “It is just a big family here. ... That’s where I came from, and it’s right back to the same thing. They are making me feel like it is home, they are making me feel welcome, making me feel important, just as much as everybody else."

Rice is likely headed toward some ample time in the G League with the Austin Spurs this season, as he'll be spending more time in the city he got familiar with last year. But given his five-year collegiate experience and the urgency in which San Antonio agreed to terms on a two-way deal, don't be surprised to see him get called up from time to time during his rookie year.

Rice and the Spurs will take the floor for the final time at Summer League on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder inside the Cox Pavilion.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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