NBA Draft Scouting Report: Maryland's Rodney Rice

Scouting Report: Rodney Rice

Mar 4, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Rodney Rice (1) dribbles against the Florida State Seminoles at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lee Luther Jr.-USA TODAY Sports / Lee Luther Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

1. Player Info
2. Prospect Profile
3. Highlights
4. Draft Projection
5. 2025 Big Board

Player Info

Rodney Rice

Guard | Maryland

Height: 6'4” | Weight: 195 lbs 

2025 Draft Age:

Jan 11, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Rodney Rice (1) looks to make a pass in the first half against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Prospect Profile

Following a season in which he struggled to stay healthy at Virginia Tech, Rice transferred to Maryland where he will have a chance at a fresh start. Known for being a great shooter, he has the baseline tools to impress NBA teams this season ahead of June’s draft, even if he isn’t an elite athlete. 

Again, Rice is best known for his ability to knock down shots. While he wasn’t able to hit his stride as a freshman given the low volume and injuries, he has a long history of being a very effective 3-point shooter. He has a quick trigger and smooth, repeatable mechanics that allow him to effectively shoot both stationary and on the move. 

Even then, Rice is more than just a shooter. He can also create for himself when given the opportunity, which he should be hoping for more of as a sophomore. If he’s able to be a primary creator for the Terrapins and showcase that upside, it will be great for his draft stock. He will likely be more of an off-ball guard at the next level, but Rice is also an underrated passer who can facilitate for others throughout a game when needed. He plays with tremendous poise and is hard to speed him up or rattle him, especially given he keeps the game simple.

On the defensive end, Rice doesn’t necessarily project to be a lockdown defender, but has the motor and tools to be disruptive and a good team defender. That side of the ball will be interesting to monitor this season, especially as it relates to his ability to defend bigger wings. If he’s able to be versatile on the defensive end and hold his own against multiple positions, that should be plenty for NBA teams to believe in his defense translating. 

A former four-star recruit and standout out of DeMatha Catholic, Rice has always been on NBA radars. Now in his second collegiate program, he will look to really break out as a sophomore and emerge on more draft boards. But first, he will look to have a high level of collegiate success in the win column and follow in his father’s footsteps, who led the Richmond Spiders to the Sweet 16 in 1988.

Highlights

Draft Projection

Potential Second-Round Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.

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2025 Big Board

Want to know more about other potential 2025 NBA Draft prospects and where they might get selected? Check out our Draft Digest Big Board.

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