Heat's Rice wonders about what if...

 

By Shandel Richardson

Staff Writer

Posted July 2 2004

 

MIAMI ? When Darius Rice watches Heat first-round pick Dorell Wright, he sees all the energy, the high-flying dunks, the endless amount of potential.

 

Rice also sees something else: what could have been had he, too, entered the NBA Draft after high school. Instead, Rice went undrafted after four years at the University of Miami and is trying to earn a spot on the Heat's roster as a free agent.

 

"I've thought about it," Rice said. "If I would've came out [after high school], I would've been in [Wright's] position. I would have been four years down the road in the NBA. I'd have a lot of money, maybe a [championship] ring, you never know."

 

Rice scored a game-high 24 points in the 2000 McDonald's All-American game, giving reason to believe he could leap to the NBA. He chose college. Sure, he had one of the most successful careers in UM history. Sure, he should be applauded for furthering his education.

 

Still, Rice can only wonder what could have happened had he taken what has become the more common route for high school stars. Eight high schoolers were taken in the first round last month, including top pick Dwight Howard.

 

"I can't even answer that," Rice said when asked should he have entered the draft after high school. "It will get me all frustrated, so I'm just going to leave it alone ... I think about it all the time. I could've been helping my family [financially] a long time ago, instead of struggling."

 

Rice, a 6-foot-10 forward, said he watched only the first round of the draft before going outside to shoot some baskets in his hometown of Jackson, Miss. Disappointment set in when watching his father cry when Rice was not selected.

 

"My dad was really upset," Rice said. "He took it harder than me."

 

The family's tears can turn to smiles if Rice lands a spot with the Heat. He received calls from Phoenix and Portland after the draft, but said Miami was the best fit. The tattoo "Neva Scared" on his left shoulder also best describes Rice's attitude during the summer. A no-fear demeanor is exactly what it will take for him to stand out.

 

"He's another guy that doesn't have any fear," said Heat assistant Bob McAdoo, who will coach the summer-league team at Orlando next week. "He's a guy that will shoot if he's open. He runs well in transition. That's something you can't teach somebody that's [6-10]. That's what we try to do as the Miami Heat. We're trying to mesh players like that into our system and he could be one."

 

Rice said Heat forward Udonis Haslem and Dallas Mavericks guards Marquis Daniels have served as motivation. Undrafted out of college, both have become key contributors on their respective teams.

 

"I can play in this league," Rice said. "I'm going to go out and prove it. I still have a chance to play in the league, and I'm going to do it. I'm never going to give up. My heart is too big to give up. I'm never going to stop trying. This is my goal. This is what I want to do."

Similar Article, from the Herald:

 

Rice eager to get started with Heat

 

BY ISRAEL GUTIERREZ

 

[email protected]

 

 

Darius Rice didn't spend much time sweating in front of the television during the second round of last week's NBA draft.

 

In fact, he didn't spend much time watching it at all.

 

''After the first round I went outside and started playing ball,'' the former University of Miami basketball standout said. ``I didn't care what happened after that because either way you go, you still have to make the team.''

 

After the draft was completed, he still got what he wanted: a chance to impress the Miami Heat by playing in the team's summer league.

 

Rice also had offers from the Suns and Trail Blazers, but he chose to stick with the town and team he knows.

 

'[The Heat] told me, `We have a lot of slashers, but we need someone to kick it to, so we want you to rebound, play D and shoot the ball,' '' said Rice, a 6-foot-9 swing player best known for his outside shot.

 

Rice impressed Heat president Pat Riley and the Heat scouting staff during a predraft workout, during which he matched up against one of the premier guards in the draft.

 

''I came here to work out against Luke Jackson [who was picked 10th overall last week], and from what I heard, I got the better of him,'' Rice said. 'They said, `You're going to be in this league.' That's what Pat Riley told me. He said, 'It's how bad you want it.' When the draft was over they were the first team that called.''

 

So far, Heat assistant coach Bob McAdoo, who is coaching the summer-league team, is impressed.

 

''He's very energetic,'' McAdoo said. ''I really like him because he's long, he's another guy that doesn't have any fear. He's a guy that will shoot it if he's open, he runs well in transition and that's something you can't teach with somebody who's 6-9.'' Many believe Rice would have been drafted had he entered the draft a few years earlier, and Rice admits he gets frustrated when he thinks about that. But if Rice makes the Heat, he won't worry about what could have been.

 

''I'd do anything to come here to help these guys and bring them a championship,'' Rice said. ''I just want to help this team, and this is where I want to be.''

I wish Rice the best of Luck.

 

Go Heat!

Good luck to Rice, he was a heck of a college player. He really gave the Gators a scare a couple of times.

I think the Heat got a steal.

Good luck to Rice, he was a heck of a college player. He really gave the Gators a scare a couple of times.

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Man, for a while, it seemed like every UM game I went to he'd do something ridiculous.

 

First it was those shots against the Gators, though they weren't enough.

Then he put the game into OT against UNC.

And then he put up 41 including the game winner against UConn.

 

He may not be an NBA-type player, but he was sick in the clutch.

I'm hoping he does well in the summer league so he can earn a spot on our roster, I wouldn't mind having him off the bench.

 

He would add more depth and come cheap. He would already have a lot of fans from his years of UM as well. I've always liked him, good luck to him. Sad to see he wasn't drafted, must have been disappointing as hell.

Good luck to Rice, he was a heck of a college player.? He really gave the Gators a scare a couple of times.

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Man, for a while, it seemed like every UM game I went to he'd do something ridiculous.

 

First it was those shots against the Gators, though they weren't enough.

Then he put the game into OT against UNC.

And then he put up 41 including the game winner against UConn.

 

He may not be an NBA-type player, but he was sick in the clutch.

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he was great in the clutch, but he just disappeared the rest of the game

 

ive actually seen him around UM a few times. he was a good player for the canes and i wish him the best of luck

ive actually seen him around UM a few times. he was a good player for the canes and i wish him the best of luck

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my god the man got a lot of play at UM

Damn that dude is badass. He scared the crap out of me in the game against UF. I sure hope he makes it in the NBA. I'd actually like it if the Magic would sign him as a FA. The dude's got skills, and size.

 

I also applaud him on his decision to go to college. A man w/an education is a powerful thing. He has a degree from a good school...he will succeed in life (if he applies himself...i dont know him, but i'd like to think he will) whether it's in basketball or not.

Damn that dude is badass. He scared the crap out of me in the game against UF. I sure hope he makes it in the NBA. I'd actually like it if the Magic would sign him as a FA. The dude's got skills, and size.

 

I also applaud him on his decision to go to college. A man w/an education is a powerful thing. He has a degree from a good school...he will succeed in life (if he applies himself...i dont know him, but i'd like to think he will) whether it's in basketball or not.

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its true what you say but he's made it pretty obvious that he wouldve skipped college if he had to do it all over again.

I think many of us would have a hard time disagreeing with him if we were in his position...but he isn't in a crappy position.