Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Columbia, SC (Future150) -- After a standout career at Ridge View High School (SC), 6'7" wing Kaiden Rice is now off to The Citadel to continue his stellar playing career. That, however, doesn't mean the end of the Rice era for the Blazers, as freshman Tyler Rice suits up for the varsity squad this year as a touted freshman.
The 6-foot point guard has excellent vision and instincts on the floor, with a game very different from his older brother. Over the past two years, he's killed multiple Future150 events, including our recent Future150 Elite24 All-American Camp.
"The 5'11" point man saved his best for last at camp, showing out in the Elite24 All-Star Game for the second year in a row. He shined bright in the drill stations at camp, showing off an advanced skill set and impressive ball skills. When he's not asked to score too much and to just lead his offense with talented pieces around him, he's one of the best point guards in the Southeast. When necessary, he can also knock down open perimeter shots and score near the rim. Overall, another good weekend for the Columbia prospect."
After a big 8th grade year, several schools are already checking in on the talented guard, including South Carolina, Oklahoma State, Georgia Southern, Campbell, Furman, USC Upstate, College of Charleston & The Citadel. He's already visited the Gamecocks campus, and you can bet many more unofficial visits will be happening over the next few years.
He knows that there are no shortcuts to the division one level, and that he has to keep working to reach his goals.
"We're trying to win the region, and then go and win the state championship. I'm looking to compete at a high level on every single play, and to just keep having a winning mentality no matter the circumstances. I'm really good at getting to the rim and creating for my teammates," he told Future150.
A standout quarterback at the middle school level, he gave up the sport to fully focus on basketball, which wasn't an easy decision for him.
With an older brother who plays division one basketball at 6'7", a mother who stands 6-foot and went to college on an academic scholarship & a father who is 6'3" and went on to play college football, there is a lot of upside to Tyler's career, both athletically and academically.
"I want to make it big so that I can give my parents back everything they gave me. I want to excel and break numerous records. After basketball, I plan to stay in the sport of basketball, hopefully as a commentator for ESPN. Most importantly, I want to be a role model for younger kids, because I know what a difference it can make it their lives."
Comments:
Be the first to post. Just use the form below.