Rayvonte Rice
Rayvonte Rice (born July 14, 1992) is an American professional basketball player who primarily plays as a shooting guard.[1][2] Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and weighing 235 pounds (106 kg), he is known for his scoring ability and rebounding prowess from the guard position.[2][3] After a standout college career at Drake University and the University of Illinois, Rice went undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft and embarked on a journeyman professional career spanning the NBA G League, European leagues, and Asian competitions, with his most recent stint in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, where he signed on December 24, 2024, but his contract was terminated on January 4, 2025.[3][4][5] Following the termination, no further professional engagements have been reported as of November 2025. Rice began his basketball journey at Centennial High School in his hometown of Champaign, Illinois, where he earned all-state honors as a senior, averaging 23.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.[2][6] He committed to Drake University, playing two seasons (2010–12) for the Bulldogs in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), where he appeared in 64 games, starting 62, and averaged 15.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game overall.[2][6] As a sophomore in 2011–12, he led the MVC in steals (1.9 per game) and ranked third in scoring (16.8 points per game) and minutes played (33.4 per game), earning All-MVC second team recognition.[2][6] Transferring to the University of Illinois for the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons after sitting out 2012–13 due to NCAA rules, Rice started all 59 games for the Fighting Illini in the Big Ten Conference, averaging 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.[2][1] In his junior year (2013–14), he received honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media after leading the Illini in scoring (15.9 points per game) and ranking second on the team in rebounds (6.0 per game).[1][7] His senior season was shortened by injury, but he still averaged 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 24 appearances.[7] Following college, Rice signed with Tezenis Verona of Italy's LegaDue Gold in July 2015, marking the start of his overseas career.[8] Over the next several years, he played in diverse leagues: Aix Maurienne Savoie Basket (LNB Pro B, France, 2016–17), Orasi Ravenna (LegaDue Gold, Italy, 2017–18), Soles (LNBP, Mexico) and Termoiforgia Jesi (LegaDue Gold, Italy) in 2018–19, Hapoel Eilat, Ironi Nes Ziona (Israeli Premier League), and Avtodor Saratov (VTB United League, Russia) in 2019–20, and Kyoto Hannaryz (B.League, Japan, 2020–21), where he averaged 19.6 points per game across 51 contests.[8] In January 2022, he joined the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League, scoring a career-high 40 points in a February game against the South Bay Lakers, before moving to Ionikos Nikaias BC (Greek Basket League) later that season.[8][9] Rice continued in 2023 with the Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), contributing to their Basketball Champions League Americas campaign, and then signed with the Taoyuan Pauian Steelers of Taiwan's P.League+ for the 2023–24 season, earning Third Team All-P.League+ honors.[8][10] In 2024, he briefly appeared for Liaoning Flying Leopards in the Basketball Champions League Asia (averaging 2.3 points in three games) before joining the Guangdong Southern Tigers.[11] Across 186 professional games through 2022, Rice has career averages of 16.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 19.4 minutes per game.[8]Early life and high school
Family background
Rayvonte Rice was born on July 14, 1992, in Champaign, Illinois, where he spent his early years immersed in a close-knit family environment that emphasized athletic discipline and achievement.[1][12] His mother, Rhonda Rice, raised him as a single parent after his father, Sherman Williams, faced incarceration, providing both maternal and paternal guidance while working at a local shoe store where young Rice occasionally helped out. Rhonda, who had excelled in basketball and earned all-area honors at Elgin High School before playing at Parkland College, recognized her son's potential early, noting his large hands at age two and weighing 9 pounds, 12 ounces at birth.[13][1] The Rice family resided in Champaign, a college town dominated by the University of Illinois, which fostered a strong community influence centered on Fighting Illini sports fandom; Rice grew up just minutes from Assembly Hall, idolizing local basketball heroes and absorbing the area's passion for athletics. This environment, combined with familial support—such as Rhonda driving to his out-of-state games later on—instilled a sense of hometown pride and resilience. Rice's early exposure to basketball came directly through his mother's influence, as she played one-on-one games with him from a young age, claiming victories even during his college years at Drake, which helped cultivate his skills and love for the sport in local settings.[13][14] A key aspect of Rice's athletic motivation stemmed from his first cousin, Mikel Leshoure, an NFL running back who starred at the University of Illinois and exemplified success as a Champaign native. Backing up Leshoure on the football field during his early high school days exposed Rice to the pressures and rewards of being a "hometown hero," inspiring him to pursue excellence in sports while ultimately channeling his energies into basketball amid the family's athletic legacy.[15][14] This familial connection, rooted in Champaign's competitive youth sports scene, reinforced Rice's drive without formal programs dominating his pre-teen years, setting a foundation for his development.High school basketball career
Rayvonte Rice attended Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois, where he played basketball under coach Tim Lavin.[1] As a junior in the 2008–09 season, Rice averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 steals, and 2.4 assists per game, leading the Chargers to a 32–1 record and the IHSA Class 3A state championship; he was named the MVP of the state tournament after scoring 21 points in the 61–59 title-game victory over Oswego.[1] In his senior year (2009–10), Rice elevated his performance, averaging 23.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals, and 1.8 assists per game while guiding Centennial to a 31–3 record and a fourth-place finish at the IHSA Class 3A state tournament.[1][6] Over his four-year high school career, Rice amassed 1,810 points, establishing him as Centennial's all-time leading scorer and the top scorer in Champaign-Urbana preparatory basketball history.[1] Rice's standout play earned him numerous accolades, including the 2010 Gatorade Illinois Boys Basketball Player of the Year award, the 2010 Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette Illinois Player of the Year honor, unanimous first-team All-State selection by the Associated Press, and first-team All-State recognition from outlets such as the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, News-Gazette, and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association; he finished as the runner-up for the 2010 Illinois Mr. Basketball award.[1][16] As a highly regarded prospect, Rice received scholarship offers from 15 Division I programs, including Nevada, TCU, Illinois State, Oregon State, Saint Louis, Akron, Detroit, Wagner, Kent State, Loyola, Miami (Ohio), Ohio, Virginia Commonwealth, Western Michigan, and Eastern Illinois, following an official visit to Drake University during the summer.[17] On September 11, 2009, he verbally committed to Drake, a Missouri Valley Conference program that had reached the NCAA Tournament in 2008, citing the opportunity to play in a competitive league as a key factor in his decision.[17]High school football career
Rayvonte Rice demonstrated versatility as a dual-sport athlete at Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois, where he played football primarily as a running back and linebacker during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. His role on both offense and defense highlighted his athletic prowess, contributing to the team's efforts in the Big Twelve Conference. Rice also occasionally lined up as a receiver, showcasing his multi-faceted skills on the field.[18] In his junior year of 2008, Rice emerged as a key contributor on offense, rushing for 309 yards on 42 carries with an average of 7.36 yards per attempt across the documented games.[19] Notable performances included a dominant 217-yard outing on 17 carries against Decatur Eisenhower on August 29, helping secure a 42-12 win, and 92 yards on 25 carries versus MacArthur on September 5 in a 14-21 loss.[20][21] Additionally, in a matchup against Danville, he rushed for 194 yards on 25 carries while catching a 35-yard reception, though the team fell short.[18] Defensively, Rice earned all-conference recognition for the 2007-08 period, underscoring his impact as a linebacker.[22] Balancing football in the fall with basketball in the winter proved demanding, but Rice managed both sports through his sophomore and junior years without reported major injuries. Entering his senior year in 2009, however, he opted out of football to prioritize basketball, recognizing the need to focus on securing a college scholarship.[23] This decision marked the end of his high school football career, as he committed to Drake University for basketball shortly thereafter.[6] Rice's football experience enhanced his overall athleticism, fostering the explosive speed, strength, and agility that translated effectively to his basketball performance.[6] As a promising football prospect, his background as a dual-sport standout at Centennial bolstered his reputation as an elite high school athlete.[6]College career
Drake University years
Rayvonte Rice began his college basketball career at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, after being a standout recruit from Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois.[24] As a two-way guard known for his scoring and defensive tenacity, Rice quickly emerged as a key contributor for the Bulldogs in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), leading the team in multiple categories during his freshman and sophomore seasons.[25] In his freshman year during the 2010–11 season, Rice appeared in 31 games, averaging 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 40.2% from the field.[2] He led the Bulldogs in scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocks (0.8 per game), setting a Drake freshman record with 428 points and 149 rebounds.[25] For his performance, Rice earned MVC All-Freshman Team honors and was also named to the MVC All-Newcomer Team.[26] Despite the team's 13–18 overall record, Rice's impact was evident in games like his 19-point effort against Indiana State.[27] Rice built on his rookie success in the 2011–12 sophomore season, playing all 33 games and boosting his averages to 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 43.6% field goal shooting.[2] He continued to lead the team in scoring and steals, ranking third in the MVC in points per game and leading the conference in total steals with 63.[28] Notable performances included a 14-rebound game against Wichita State and 19 points in Drake's 70–64 victory over North Dakota in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT), marking the program's first non-MVC postseason win in 37 years.[29][30] Although Drake fell in the CIT second round to Rice University, Rice's efforts helped the Bulldogs finish 23–11 overall and earn Second-team All-MVC recognition.[31] Over his two seasons at Drake, Rice amassed 983 points, 339 rebounds, 103 assists, and 105 steals in 64 games, starting 62.[1] Following the 2011–12 campaign, Rice decided to transfer, citing a desire to compete at a higher level of basketball.[32] This move allowed him to seek opportunities in a more competitive conference while leaving a lasting legacy as one of Drake's top young talents.[33]Transfer to Illinois
After a standout sophomore season at Drake University, where he averaged 16.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, Rayvonte Rice announced his decision to transfer to the University of Illinois on April 25, 2012.[34][35] As a native of Champaign, Illinois, Rice had been a lifelong fan of the Fighting Illini, often attending games at Assembly Hall during his youth.[15] His choice was significantly influenced by new Illinois head coach John Groce, who had previously recruited Rice to Ohio University while serving as head coach there from 2005 to 2012.[15][36] Pursuant to NCAA transfer regulations for undergraduate players switching institutions, Rice was required to sit out the entire 2012–13 season as a redshirt, preserving two years of eligibility for the 2013–14 and 2014–15 campaigns.[37][38] During this period, he focused on academic requirements to maintain eligibility and actively participated in team practices, where he served as a valuable scout-team player against the Illini's starting lineup.[38][39] Rice met all necessary academic standards, ensuring his clearance to compete upon the completion of the mandatory sit-out year.[1] Entering the 2013–14 preseason, Rice received full NCAA eligibility approval and was positioned as a cornerstone of the Illini roster, expected to provide scoring punch, physicality, and leadership as a junior transfer in the competitive Big Ten Conference.[37][40] Coaches and analysts anticipated his 6-foot-4 frame and versatile guard skills would make him a fan favorite and immediate impact player, helping to fill voids left by departing seniors.[41][42]Illinois seasons
In his junior season with the Illinois Fighting Illini during 2013–14, Rayvonte Rice started all 35 games, emerging as the team's leading scorer with an average of 15.9 points per game while ranking eighth in the Big Ten conference.[43][2] He also contributed significantly on the boards, averaging 6.0 rebounds per game, and showcased his defensive prowess with 1.7 steals per game. Rice earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media for his efforts.[44] Notable performances included a career-high 29 points and eight rebounds in an overtime victory against Indiana, helping secure key wins that propelled Illinois to the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the first round before falling to Iowa State.[45][46] Rice's scoring prowess was evident early in the season, where he averaged over 17 points through the first 13 games, providing a consistent offensive spark for the Illini amid a challenging schedule.[47] Another highlight came in the annual Braggin' Rights game against rival Missouri, where he drained a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer for 19 points, securing a 62–59 victory.[48] His all-around play, including double-digit scoring in 31 games and leadership in steals, was instrumental in Illinois finishing 20–15 overall and earning a postseason berth.[1] As a senior in 2014–15, Rice appeared in 24 games due to a combination of injuries and a suspension, yet still led the team in scoring at 16.5 points per game while improving his efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc at 43.6% on three-point shots.[2] He averaged 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition for the second consecutive year.[8] Rice's season was disrupted by a broken left hand sustained in practice on January 6, 2015, sidelining him for approximately six weeks, followed by an indefinite suspension on January 31 for a violation of team rules; he returned on February 12 against Michigan.[49][50][51] Despite the setbacks, Rice delivered impactful outings upon his return, including 23 points in a regular-season win over Nebraska that bolstered Illinois' tournament resume.[52] He also shone in non-conference play earlier, scoring 29 points against Oregon in a United Center matchup.[53] Rice's contributions helped Illinois reach the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year, advancing to the third round with victories over Evansville and Arkansas before a loss to Notre Dame; he averaged 15 points across those three games. His resilience and scoring ability remained a cornerstone for the team, even as injuries limited his availability.[47]College statistics
Rayvonte Rice's college basketball career at Drake University and the University of Illinois spanned four seasons from 2010 to 2015, during which he appeared in 123 games and logged 3,902 minutes on the court.[2] Over this period, he tallied career totals of 1,934 points, 704 rebounds, 200 assists, 206 steals, 70 blocks, and 230 turnovers, while shooting 43.3% from the field, 31.6% from three-point range, and 73.5% from the free-throw line.[2] His per-game averages across all seasons were 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.9 turnovers.[2] The following table details Rice's per-game statistics by season, including games played (G), minutes per game (MP), field goal percentage (FG%), three-point percentage (3P%), free-throw percentage (FT%), points (PTS), rebounds (REB), assists (AST), steals (STL), blocks (BLK), and turnovers (TOV):| Season | School | G | MP | FG% | 3P% | FT% | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | Drake | 31 | 30.1 | .402 | .295 | .696 | 13.8 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.0 |
| 2011-12 | Drake | 33 | 33.4 | .436 | .241 | .708 | 16.8 | 5.8 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 2.5 |
| 2013-14 | Illinois | 35 | 32.7 | .430 | .295 | .731 | 15.9 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 1.6 |
| 2014-15 | Illinois | 24 | 30.0 | .471 | .436 | .807 | 16.5 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 1.3 |