Returning From Season-Ending Injury, Rodney Rice Aims to Bring Winning Culture to USC

Just six games into last season, senior guard Rodney Rice went down with a shoulder injury at the Maui Invitational in December. Rice ultimately underwent season-ending surgery on his shoulder, cutting his first season with USC men’s basketball short.

Now, Rice is healthy and returning to USC for the 2026-27 season.

Nov 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Rodney Rice (1) shoots a free throw during the first half of the Hall of Fame Series game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

As one of the veterans on the team, Rice wants to lead the Trojans to back to the Final Four. USC made it to the NCAA Tournament’s third-place game in 1954 (which was discontinued in 1981 due to lack of interest and poor TV ratings) but have not made it past the Elite Eight since then.

“I think we can be great. I want to make the Final Four,” Rice said in a video posted on USC’s official X account. “I love it here. I love the team we have as well as Coach Muss and the coaching staff, love those guys, so I’m glad to call this place my home.”

“At Maryland, we made the Sweet 16, so just bringing that kind of winning attitude to USC. Win the Big Ten, I think we got the guys to do that…We got what it takes. I think we can be real special.”

Rice’s Career Before USC

Before transferring to USC last season, Rice played two seasons at Virginia Tech and one season at Maryland.

Like he stated in USC’s video, Rice helped Maryland reach the Sweet 16 in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. He started in 32 of the 36 games he played in that season and averaged 13.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Rice was also Maryland’s third-leading scorer that season.

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In the Sweet 16 game, Rice contributed 12 points and four rebounds but Maryland ultimately fell to the eventual national champions, Florida.

Mar 27, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Rodney Rice (1) drives to the hoop past Florida Gators guard Alijah Martin (15) during the first half during a West Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Rice can now utilize his NCAA Tournament experience at Maryland to help USC make a deep run in the 2027 NCAA Tournament.

Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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