Penn State secures commitment from Nebraska transfer Eli Rice

Penn State men’s basketball has earned their third commitment out of the transfer portal as they land Nebraska guard Eli Rice, he announced via his Instagram this morning.

Rice becomes the third transfer to commit to Penn State, joining Xavier transfer Kachi Nzeh and Northern Illinois transfer Yanic Konan Niederhauser, who announced his commitment Monday.

He arrives in Happy Valley with three years of eligibility remaining and will look to improve on his freshman season with the Huskers.

The 6-foot-8 guard appeared in 17 games for Nebraska this season but was sidelined for the final 13 contests of the season with an ankle injury he suffered during practice in January.

Prior to his injury, Rice averaged 4.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in just under 10 minutes per game while shooting 37% from beyond the arc and 72% from the free throw line.

Rice recorded double-digit scoring performances three times this season, including a season-high 16 points in 22 minutes against Florida A&M.

Before Nebraska, Rice attended IMG Academy during his 2022-23 season and helped the team to a 24-3 record and a quarterfinal appearance in the National Prep Championship.

During the season, Rice averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game while shooting 35% from three-point range and nearly 80% from the foul line with IMG Academy.

Rice earned himself a three-star recruiting ranking by 247Sports, Rivals and On3, and was rated the No. 179th player nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings.

He spent his first couple years of high school at Beech High School where he was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s all-state high school team and was named the Sumner County Player of the Year.

Between his freshman and junior years of high school, Rice experienced a large growth spurt where he grew seven inches and drew the attention of Division 1 schools such as Nebraska, VCU and Georgetown.

The Gallatin, Tennessee native will join the Nittany Lions for his second season in the Big Ten conference and in his collegiate career.

Head coach Mike Rhoades and his staff have now added three transfers that will provide instant impacts for a Penn State team that lacked size this past season.

Rice brings lots of potential with his ability to shoot the ball and drive to the basket. He will benefit greatly on the defensive end with the coaching of Rhoades and his staff.

Rhoades and the Penn State program continue to build their roster with the addition of Rice, Nzeh, Niederhauser and a Top-25 recruiting class.

Thomas English is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email tfe5082@psu.edu.