Richardson confident Rice could shoot, score with Hogs

MARTY COOK
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas Coach Nolan Richardson told top prospect Darius Rice of his plans for the 6-10 forward when Rice visited Arkansas this past weekend.
Richardson wants Rice to score.
"He said that I'm a scorer, that I'm the type of person who can shoot but also get to the free-throw line, like Todd Day was," said Rice, of Jackson (Miss.) Lanier. "I can score anywhere. He said he had some shooters, he had some passers, but he said they don't have a scorer who can do it from anywhere. He said I could do that."
Rice, the nephew of football great Jerry Rice, also said Sunday that he has pretty much decided to sign during the early period, which begins Nov. 10. Rice said a week ago that he wanted to see how his top choices played and who else they recruited but changed his mind after talking with some of his AAU coaches.
Rice said he expects to announce his decision a week before the Nov. 10 signing day. He said he is considering Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Miami and will sit down during the next few days to weigh the pros and cons of each school.
"I haven't really thought about it yet because I just got back," Rice said. "I'm just going to wait, talk to my dad and see if we can figure some things out.
"[Arkansas] might be a good situation, the way he [Richardson] broke it down. It's going to be real thought out. I don't want to go somewhere and know I won't be happy."
The Razorbacks have a host of young players, and only one player, Chris Walker, is a senior. While the crowded roster may scare away some prospects, Rice considers it an advantage for the Razorbacks.
"They're real young, and I think that'll be good, getting a lot of young guys together to grow together, to do everything together so we'll be more familiar on the court," Rice said. "That'd be a positive. [Richardson] said after they get me, that's it because next year they don't have any scholarships."
Rice said he enjoyed his visit to Arkansas and liked the camaraderie among the players. He got a chance to watch the Razorbacks practice and saw how he would fit in with the team.
"I think it would be a good rotation with me in there, plus all the players pretty much know their roles," Rice said. "With [Richardson's] offense and the style of play they play with the up-tempo type of game, everybody is going to get to play. He said that'll be no question. He said I could come play now."

Little Rock Parkview forward Michael Jones said he is looking forward to his official visit to Arkansas this weekend.
Jones was scheduled to visit along with forward Brandon Crump of Klein, Texas, but Crump dropped the Razorbacks from consideration a week ago. With two other forwards orally committing to Oklahoma State, Jones' chances of receiving a scholarship offer from Arkansas improved.
Jones said Sunday he hadn't heard from Arkansas since last Monday but expects the Razorbacks to call this week. College coaches can call daily during the week of a prospect's official visit.

Derek Wake wouldn't say who his friend was, but Arkansas should be thankful to Wake's unidentified friend.
Wake, a defensive lineman from DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Md., is considering the Razorbacks mostly on the strength of a favorable recommendation from his friend, whom Wake said was recruited by the Razorbacks a couple of years ago.
Wake (6-3, 231, 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash) has received scholarship offers from a several major schools. He said he had a "pretty high interest" in Arkansas.
"It's a very good program," Wake said. "I talked to a coach who came to my school during spring workouts. I've heard a lot about the school through my friend. He said it was a very good program for somebody like me. He didn't have anything bad to say."
Wake said some schools have talked to him about playing outside linebacker, but he prefers to play defensive end. He is academically eligible after scoring a 1,150 on the SAT.
"A lot of people said I could play outside linebacker because of my size and quickness," Wake said. "I've never played outside linebacker so I really wouldn't know, but I like defensive end."

Wide receiver Reggie Harrell of Arlington, Texas, Lamar High School has been offered a track scholarship by Arkansas and played in front of Arkansas recruiting coordinator Fitz Hill on Friday.
Harrell (6-4, 200, 4.4) runs the 110-meter high hurdles and wants to participate in track and football in college. He said his best 110 time is 13.68 seconds.
"I like Arkansas because of the track tradition," Harrell said. "That's basically why I like Arkansas. They're the best ever.
"They said I could do both [sports]. [Hill] said they liked that I was tall, big and I'm fast. They said I'm the real deal."
Harrell said he had watched a couple of Razorbacks games on television but has no favorite this early. He is considering Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M and Texas among many schools that have been in contact with him.

Contact Marty Cook at marty_cook@adg.ardemgaz.com

This article was published on Tuesday, October 26, 1999

RETURN to Razorback Report