Unsigned Senior Spotlight - Ben Rice
Whitman-Hanson's Ben Rice just capped a tremendous high school career. He was named to virtually every post-season all-state team possible and led his team to the MIAA D2 state championship along the way.
He's been recruited by roughly 15-20 schools, mostly at the D3 level, since the summer. He's looking for the highest level of competition possible and while he has some D2 interest, it's less than you would expect for a player of his stature and still untapped potential.
In fact, if you start projecting him out a few years down the road, it becomes apparent that Rice may just be scratching the surface of his potential. The D2 and D3 schools who have actively recruited him in recent months undoubtedly know about that, more scholarship level schools undoubtedly should.
Prospect Profile
Height: 6'8"
Position: Wing
School: Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
AAU: Rise Above Basketball
By the Numbers
2019-20 Stats - 14.7ppg, 8rpg, 1.5spg, 1bpg, 398 total points, 77 3-pointers
Academics: 3.4 GPA & 1180 SAT
Awards & Accolades
- 2020 Boston Herald All Scholastic
- 2020 Boston Globe All Scholastic
- 2x Brockton Enterprise All Scholastic
- 2x Patriot League All-Star
Personal Statement
I am a 6'8" SF who can shoot, as well as handle the ball and take it to the basket above defenders. I grew 12 inches since my Freshman year of high school, and I can still use the guard skills that I always had before I was this tall. I am becoming more and more comfortable playing at my size. I can play effective defense against both bigs and guards. I have excellent court vision and I am always able to see the open man.
Recommendations
"It is rare we get a player who I truly believe can play at the D1 or D2 level. Despite the fact that our program has been to the Boston Garden three times in the last 5 years and is usually among the better teams in the state, we usually don't get those elite type players. However, one of my captains on this year's state championship team is an exception...He is 6'7/6'8 and can really play. This year he averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds per game - those numbers are a bit deceiving because we had 4 guys in double figures and really preached sharing the ball. But when we needed big points, Ben was often the go to guy...Ben's work ethic is off the charts and he lives basketball. There isn't a day go by that he isn't doing something to improve his game. Last summer he worked three weeks of youth basketball camp and he would set his alarm to come in 2 hours early so he could get in his work. While I know many people think that year round basketball is a bad thing, Ben just loves the game and this is what he wants to be doing. He has been committed to a weight training program which I am sure will pay off once his body stops taking more of his gains and turning it into height. He is the son of a basketball coach so the game is in his blood. His older brother Josh was captain at ENC in Quincy and was one of the top 3 point shooters in the nation. I truly believe Ben will fill out that lanky frame in the next year or two and add another dimension to his game. From a character standpoint Ben is as solid as they come. He is a respectful player who is a coach's dream. "
- Bob Rodgers, Athletic Director and Head Coach, Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
"I’ve been on the other side witnessing Ben impact games against us on the AAU circuit with his innate ability to knock down contested shots, find the open man & play unselfish team basketball. I felt like every time Ben stepped onto the floor he had grown another two inches from the game prior. One of the major reasons we were so excited to have Ben join us at RAB this season was to see how he did such a fantastic job helping lead his Whitman-Hanson program to a State Championship & to know that he is just scratching the surface of his potential! As a 6’8” guard/forward & only 17 years of age Ben has an extremely high ceiling and is only going to continue making strides in his already polished game!"
- Brendan Carter, Director, Rise Above Basketball
Scout's Take
"I got my first good look at Ben last fall at our Massachusetts Open Gym and I was immediately intrigued. He had the type of size and skill-set that are in high demand at the next level and physically, he looked like he really hadn't even begun to fill out yet, which meant he still had a ton of upside left to discover. Everything I've learned about him since has only reinforced that first impression. Yes, he needs to get a lot stronger, prove himself against better competition, and adjust to a new level of speed and physicality, but that is all stuff he has a lot of control over. I think he's a scholarship level player right now and likely would have blown up in spring AAU, but could see his recruitment go to unprecedented levels if he were to explore, and take advantage of, a prep year."
- Adam Finkelstein, NERR & ESPN
Video Highlights
Ben Rice