Virginia Tech has made a major splash on the recruiting trail as the Hokies have landed one of their top overall basketball targets for the 2022 class, four-star guard Rodney Rice.
2022 four-star Rodney Rice has committed to Virginia Tech, he tells @On3Recruits.
— Joseph Tipton (@TiptonEdits) October 3, 2021
Story: https://t.co/rMjskxv2Ys pic.twitter.com/OajFtplxsV
Rice chose the Hokies over a host of major offers including Louisville who was Tech's top competition plus in-state Maryland, Alabama, Indiana, UCONN, Georgetown, LSU, Illinois, Oklahoma State, Marquette, Providence, Penn State, Wake Forest, Miami, Seton Hall, Rutgers, and more.
Tech's hiring of Mike Jones as their top assistant definitely boosted the Hokies' hopes as Jones was Rice's coach during their lone overlapping season at DeMatha Catholic. Since, Tech has continued to build on that inside path that opened the door winning this recruiting battle not simply because of that lone connection but with the strong relationship that built over the summer was boosted on his official visit.
Rice instantly becomes one of Tech's highest rated commitments ever with 3 out of the 4 major rankings having Rice in their top 55 and the lowest still being in the top 75 nationally. Rice ranks for sure only behind Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dorian Finney-Smith in terms of the highest rated recruits for Tech in the modern recruiting era.
With Rice on board, the focus likely shifts to the wing and frontcourt with four-star forwards Noah Clowney and Ven-Allen Lubin who have both taken official visits to Virginia Tech. Tech's backcourt seems secure for this cycle with Rice and three-star combo guard MJ Collins being a very intriguing pairing.
