Maryland transfer shooting guard Rodney Rice committed to USC on Tuesday morning over a top group that included Auburn, Gonzaga, a return to Maryland, Tennessee and Villanova. Rice took visits to Villanova, Tennessee and Southern Cal before choosing the Trojans.
Rice is one of the top players in the transfer portal this offseason and was Tennessee’s top remaining target in the portal as they look to add a starting shooting guard in the portal.
The 6-foot-4 shooting guard averaged 13.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while helping lead the Terrapins to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016. Rice’s production increased over the course of the season and he averaged 15.5 points per game in Maryland’s final 20 games.
Without Rice, Tennessee turns its attention at shooting guard to Oklahoma transfer Duke Miles who averaged 9.4 points and 2.5 rebounds as a starter for the Sooners last season. Miles is visiting Tennessee basketball on Wednesday.
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Tennessee transfer point guard commit Ja’Kobi Gillespie was a major part of the Vols’ recruitment of Rice. The two are roommates at Maryland and formed one of the Big 10’s best backcourts, averaging 31.1 points per game in 20 conference games last season while shooting 39% from three-point range.
Rice ranks as one of the top players available in the transfer portal with 247sports ranking him as a four-star and the No. 24 player in the portal, On3 ranking him as a four-star and the No. 32 player in the portal and EvanMiya ranking him as a four-star and the No. 78 player available in the portal.
Tennessee has added three players to its 2025-26 roster since the conclusion of the season. The Vols landed Gillespie, Vanderbilt power forward Jaylen Carey and five-star wing Nate Ament. Rick Barnes and his staff have addressed major needs at point guard, on the wing and in the front court but still needs to add shooting guards.
The Vols still have three scholarships to work with and will likely add two more shooting guards to their roster as they look to fill out their roster for next season.
