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Maryland Transfer Rodney Rice Recaps Weekend Visit With Tennessee Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee basketball may be in the middle of spring workouts, but the Vols are already making moves to reshape their backcourt for the upcoming season. This weekend, the program hosted a key transfer target: Rodney Rice, the talented guard who recently entered the portal after one season at Maryland. Following his visit, Rice spoke highly of his time in Knoxville and opened up about his impressions of Rick Barnes, the Tennessee culture, and how he envisions fitting into the Vols’ system.
“It was definitely a great visit,” Rice told reporters on Sunday evening. “I got to really see what the program is about — not just from the outside looking in, but being around the staff, the players, and getting a feel for the culture. Coach Barnes and everyone there, they were real with me from the start.”
A New Chapter After Maryland
Rice, a 6-foot-4 combo guard from Washington, D.C., originally committed to Virginia Tech as a top-100 recruit in the Class of 2022 before ultimately flipping to Maryland. His freshman year with the Terrapins was a mixed bag — a combination of promising flashes and injury setbacks limited him to just 11 games, in which he averaged 7.4 points and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting 40.7% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range.
Despite the abbreviated season, Rice showed enough to draw widespread interest once he entered the portal. Tennessee wasted no time reaching out.
“Coach Gainey hit me up not long after I made the decision,” Rice said, referencing Tennessee assistant Rod Clark and associate head coach Justin Gainey. “From there, it just felt like they had a real plan for me. Not just basketball-wise, but as a person too.”
What Tennessee Offers
Tennessee is coming off another strong season under Rick Barnes, reaching the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 before bowing out to Purdue. With veteran leader Zakai Zeigler returning and top incoming freshman Bishop Boswell arriving on campus, the Vols are retooling for another deep postseason run. But the backcourt rotation has openings, especially after the graduation of Santiago Vescovi and the potential departure of others to the draft or transfer portal.
Enter Rodney Rice.
“I see a spot where I can come in and contribute right away,” Rice said. “They don’t hand out anything — you’ve got to earn your minutes — but I like that. I want to be pushed. I want to be coached hard. That’s how you grow.”
During the visit, Rice spent time with Barnes and his staff breaking down film of Tennessee’s offense and defense, which emphasized guard play, defensive intensity, and versatility. It was clear the Vols envision Rice as a plug-and-play piece in a system that demands two-way commitment.
“They showed me how they’d use me on both ends,” Rice added. “Offensively, they want guards who can make plays, shoot the ball, and be aggressive. Defensively, they demand toughness and effort. I feel like that fits me. I’ve always taken pride in being a two-way guard.”
A Weekend of Immersion
Rice’s visit to Knoxville wasn’t just about X’s and O’s. The staff made sure the trip gave him a true sense of the Tennessee basketball experience. From touring the state-of-the-art facilities at Pratt Pavilion and Thompson-Boling Arena, to sitting in on film sessions and workouts, Rice was immersed in all aspects of the program.
One of the highlights for Rice was meeting current players, including Zeigler, Jordan Gainey, and Jahmai Mashack — each of whom shared their own experiences of playing for Barnes.
“They told me it’s hard, but it’s worth it,” Rice said. “That stood out. No sugarcoating. They just told me what it’s really like. And they all talked about how much they’ve grown — not just as players but as men.”
Rice also got to explore Knoxville, from campus life to downtown eateries, and even made an appearance at a Tennessee baseball game, where he witnessed the energetic Volunteer fanbase firsthand.
“That was crazy,” Rice laughed. “The fans were all in. You can feel how much people care about the teams here. It’s a sports town, and that means something.”
Connection With Rick Barnes
While Barnes has built his reputation on defense and discipline, the veteran head coach has also been instrumental in developing guards into high-level college players and NBA prospects. From Jordan Bone and Admiral Schofield to Kennedy Chandler and Keon Johnson, Barnes has consistently helped perimeter players unlock their potential.
That track record wasn’t lost on Rice.
“We had some deep conversations,” Rice said of Barnes. “He’s honest. He tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. And that’s the kind of coach I want. He’s been doing this at the highest level for a long time, and I respect that.”
Rice noted that Barnes didn’t make any guarantees about playing time or stats. Instead, he emphasized growth, accountability, and how Tennessee could provide a platform to improve and win.
“Coach told me, ‘We’re going to coach you hard, we’re going to support you, and if you buy in, the rest will take care of itself.’ That stuck with me.”
What Comes Next?
Following the visit, Rice said he plans to take a few more official visits before making a final decision. Programs like Oklahoma, Xavier, and Providence are also reportedly in the mix, but Tennessee has made a strong early impression.
“I want to be thorough,” Rice said. “This next stop is important. It’s about development, about fit, and about being in a winning culture. Tennessee checks a lot of boxes, so they’re definitely in it.”
A decision could come before the end of April, depending on how the rest of the visits unfold. For now, Rice is keeping an open mind but admitted the trip to Knoxville left a lasting impact.
“It’s one of those places you leave thinking, ‘I could really see myself there,’” Rice said. “I felt welcomed. I felt like they see me for who I am and what I can bring. That means a lot.”
Potential Impact for Tennessee
If Tennessee can land Rice, the Vols would add a physically gifted, skilled guard with two-way potential and two years of eligibility remaining. His ability to shoot off the dribble, handle the ball, and defend multiple positions makes him an ideal candidate to thrive in Barnes’ system — especially alongside a true point guard like Zeigler.
In a transfer portal era where player movement is constant, relationships and cultural fit are more important than ever. The Vols seem to have made both count during Rice’s visit.
“From the trainers to the coaches to the players — it was all love,” Rice said. “Now I just have to weigh everything and do what’s best for me. But Tennessee is up there, for sure.”
Looking Ahead
The coming weeks will be crucial as Rice evaluates his options and continues his recruitment. Meanwhile, Tennessee will remain aggressive in the portal, seeking the right pieces to fortify its roster for what it hopes will be another championship-contending campaign.
Whether or not Rice ends up in orange and white, his visit serves as a reminder of Tennessee’s growing national pull in the transfer market — a product of success, development, and a clearly defined culture.
“The visit just confirmed a lot of what I’d heard,” Rice said. “Tennessee is for real. They’re about winning, and they’re about doing things the right way.”
As the Vols look to retool and reload, they may have found their next backcourt star in Rodney Rice — now it’s just a matter of when, and where, he decides to call home.
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