Rayvonte Rice transfers to Illinois

HoopBoss · Apr 25, 2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

He got in trouble for shoplifting socks. Nothing earth shattering. haha

Ha-ha ??? Did I miss something?

Last time I looked, even socks weren't on the "OK to Shoplift" menu-list.

I guess that's part of the problem with today's professional, and now even college athletes (certainly not the majority).

It has to be "earth shattering" in order to be defined as wrong. Hey, no one's perfect. You know it, and I know it. But let's not blow it off because he knows how to shoot a basketball, throw a football, etc, etc, etc.

floorburn · Apr 25, 2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youlikeroses

Maybe he can play football too? He would be an incredible receiver. 6'4", 235. Linebackers would get out of his way on a slant route.

Rayvontae played basketball and football at Centennial, dropping football his senior year to concentrate on hoops.

He was actually the backup to Leshoure for a couple of years and got the bulk of playing time when Mikel had some injuries Mikel's senior year.

Chris Yates · Apr 25, 2012, 01:15 PM

Mike Mullins just went up with a classic (but very polite) tweet letting Harv and Roy know that his name is Rayvonte, not Davonte. That's what the brothers have been calling him in tweets.

More importantly, welcome to Illini Nation, Mr. Rice!

PeoriaSteve · Apr 25, 2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniSteve

Nice job Coach Groce, Rice is a warrior

That's the big point. The kid is a warrior, something we've lacked other than young players since Chet, Trent and Calvin left after '09. I believe Abrams is like that as well, which I believe will come to the forefront this year.

PeoriaSteve · Apr 25, 2012, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illiniguy24

does this hurt our chances at getting Nunn??

No, having a better team helps. You think a stud like Nunn is afraid of competition? No way. Plus, Groce tends to play a lot of guys, so you need the depth for his system.

Chris Yates · Apr 25, 2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeoriaSteve

No, having a better team helps. You think a stud like Nunn is afraid of competition? No way. Plus, Groce tends to play a lot of guys, so you need the depth for his system.

Nunn is a sharpshooter. Rice, not so much. Rice will bring toughness, but Nunn will take the big jumpshots if he's at UI.

BrooksTaylorFan · Apr 25, 2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoopBoss

Ha-ha ??? Did I miss something?

Last time I looked, even socks weren't on the "OK to Shoplift" menu-list.

I guess that's part of the problem with today's professional, and now even college athletes (certainly not the majority).

It has to be "earth shattering" in order to be defined as wrong. Hey, no one's perfect. You know it, and I know it. But let's not blow it off because he knows how to shoot a basketball, throw a football, etc, etc, etc.

My point was it's not like he robbed a bank or assaulted someone. Of course what he did was wrong and he was punished, but I hardly believe that an 18 year old taking some socks is giong to lead to a life of crime. And it has nothing to do with whether or not he can dribble a basketball. We are all guilty of doing stupid things when we were young. One incident is not a pattern.

PeoriaSteve · Apr 25, 2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoopBoss

Ha-ha ??? Did I miss something?

Last time I looked, even socks weren't on the "OK to Shoplift" menu-list.

I guess that's part of the problem with today's professional, and now even college athletes (certainly not the majority).

It has to be "earth shattering" in order to be defined as wrong. Hey, no one's perfect. You know it, and I know it. But let's not blow it off because he knows how to shoot a basketball, throw a football, etc, etc, etc.

Dude, chill. He was a teen when he did this. Teens do stupid things. I would call this a minor offense. I'm sure he is over this and learned from this stupid mistake.

Botb9 · Apr 25, 2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoopBoss

Ha-ha ??? Did I miss something?

Last time I looked, even socks weren't on the "OK to Shoplift" menu-list.

I guess that's part of the problem with today's professional, and now even college athletes (certainly not the majority).

It has to be "earth shattering" in order to be defined as wrong. Hey, no one's perfect. You know it, and I know it. But let's not blow it off because he knows how to shoot a basketball, throw a football, etc, etc, etc.

He was dealt with appropriately at Drake. We just need to hope that he learned his lesson and grows up from that.

zpfled · Apr 25, 2012, 01:36 PM

Awesome. Groce is winning recruiting battles. Granted, this isn't Jabari Parker, but Rice is a player, he's experienced, and he's a hometown hero. Can't wait to see him in O & B!

Dan · Apr 25, 2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Groce's pitch to Rice, according to Rice's mom: "I wasn't Illinois' first choice, and neither were you. We're both here now for a reason."

http://twitter.com/AaronB_WCIA

BrooksTaylorFan · Apr 25, 2012, 01:41 PM

Groce is very smooth. I like it.

TCTORNADO · Apr 25, 2012, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floorburn

Rayvontae played basketball and football at Centennial, dropping football his senior year to concentrate on hoops.

He was actually the backup to Leshoure for a couple of years and got the bulk of playing time when Mikel had some injuries Mikel's senior year.

Fun Facts:

Rayvonte is not Simeon Rice's son, but as I stated before he is Mikel's cousin.

Illest · Apr 25, 2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoopBoss

Last time I looked, even socks weren't on the "OK to Shoplift" menu-list.

+100

Groundhogday · Apr 25, 2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youlikeroses

Maybe he can play football too? He would be an incredible receiver. 6'4", 235. Linebackers would get out of his way on a slant route.

That is TE size and he isn't even training for football.

othawhitemeat · Apr 25, 2012, 02:06 PM

I like it because he reminds me of a better offensively Sergio! Toughness galore - hopefully he can blend in with the team and not vice versa!

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Apr 25, 2012, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ldog2013

One instance is Drake players celebrated when Jordan Clark, beat the snot out of him for acting out.

NV Illini 74 · Apr 25, 2012, 02:37 PM

Quote:

JEllis- Rayvonte Rice roughly 2 hours ago. He called the Illinois staff this morning to let them know he will transfer from Drake. Rayvonte said a few minutes ago he plans on returning to his hometown on May 12 and will be enrolled for the June summer session. They looked into the potential of pursuing a waiver to make him eligible for next season. But Rice said he won't be eligible until the 2013-14 season. He's on pace to graduate after his "junior" season in May 2014. That way, he can pursue an advanced degree during his fifth year. His mom, Rhonda Rice, said today her son is in good academic standing at Drake. Hope that helps. More on the Rayvonte Rice transfer in Thursday's News-Gazette. He was our 2010 State Player of the Year, edging Jereme Richmond for the title. Klee

.

http://www.illinihq.com/chats/2012-0...ball-chat.html

themudflap · Apr 25, 2012, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illiniobserver22

That's what this season (2012-13) is going to be. So are you willing to sit through two bad seasons?

I want to compete in 2013 for the Big Ten Title. That would likely not happen with our current stock of guards for that year. Rice will be big for us.

Uh, why? We return starters at all the positions but Center and Egwu is no slouch. He will be fine. We need a big more than him and I think we would have been fine without him. Pretty much cross Nunn off the list now.

CAHALL15 · Apr 25, 2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeThomas4Prez

Do we really need him? This takes away a scholarship from great classes the next few years.

We will be fine. We can still get Kendrick Nunn/Sterling Brown, Gavin Schilling or another big, and Jabari Parker. The NCAA allows you to go one over the scholarship limit if a) a player enters the draft b) a player transfers or c) in our case, bertrand does not seek a 5th year.

And yes, we will need him. We don't have an experienced scorer after DJ and BP leaves. He brings a unique skill set and physique that we don't have. Rice has already said he wants to work on his ball-handling and "...whatever else I need to work on."

illiniobserver22 · Apr 25, 2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themudflap

Uh, why? We return starters at all the positions but Center and Egwu is no slouch. He will be fine. We need a big more than him and I think we would have been fine without him. Pretty much cross Nunn off the list now.

Wow we return all our starters from a 17-15 club, minus the very best one? Trying to learn a new system? With no point guard or big man depth?

Sounds like a rebuilding year to me.

Rice is more of a 3, Nunn is a combo guard. There are places for both of them in the same lineup. Groce will make that clear to Kendrick. We are still in need of shooters and ballhandlers.

Groundhogday · Apr 25, 2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themudflap

Pretty much cross Nunn off the list now.

justsomedude · Apr 25, 2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themudflap

Uh, why? We return starters at all the positions but Center and Egwu is no slouch. He will be fine. We need a big more than him and I think we would have been fine without him. Pretty much cross Nunn off the list now.

I'm pretty much positive that Nunn will still be pursued hard. RR will play 3-4 at UI along with Henry and Bertrand. I do think it will be a first come situation with Nunn, XRM and a few others like demetrius Jackson.

I'm pretty torn on the deal, but he's someone who can contribute if needed and should help ensure we are decent. For as many wings as we have, Groce likes to play deep, and Bertrand and Henry will likely be the only Wings on that team with significant experience, so Rice does help, as well as giving more bodies in practice next year, which would be way to thin if we have a transfer.

Essentially, one ride in 13 for the best 1 - 2 available and the other two need to be bigs or Parker. Then you assume one other opens to give you at least two for 14.

carmelillini · Apr 25, 2012, 03:25 PM

Toughness and scoring ability, two things sorely lacking in last year's team. A good start for Coach Groce.

ssr707 · Apr 25, 2012, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Yates

Mike Mullins just went up with a classic (but very polite) tweet letting Harv and Roy know that his name is Rayvonte, not Davonte. That's what the brothers have been calling him in tweets.

More importantly, welcome to Illini Nation, Mr. Rice!

Make sure to note that they were the FIRST ones to call him Davonte.

Apr 25, 2012, 01:15 PM	#78
Chris Yates Recruiting Correspondent Location: Michigan Posts: 4,093	Mike Mullins just went up with a classic (but very polite) tweet letting Harv and Roy know that his name is Rayvonte, not Davonte. That's what the brothers have been calling him in tweets. More importantly, welcome to Illini Nation, Mr. Rice! __________________ Last living member of Olaf Blab fan club

Apr 25, 2012, 01:36 PM	#85
zpfled Location: Morton, IL Posts: 2,946	Awesome. Groce is winning recruiting battles. Granted, this isn't Jabari Parker, but Rice is a player, he's experienced, and he's a hometown hero. Can't wait to see him in O & B! __________________ I think I'm getting an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one. This is what I do when I'm not following the Illini.

Apr 25, 2012, 01:41 PM	#87
BrooksTaylorFan Location: Illinois Posts: 4,746	Groce is very smooth. I like it.

Apr 25, 2012, 02:06 PM	#91
othawhitemeat Posts: 377	I like it because he reminds me of a better offensively Sergio! Toughness galore - hopefully he can blend in with the team and not vice versa!

Apr 25, 2012, 03:25 PM	#99
carmelillini Location: Hamilton Co. Posts: 2,064	Toughness and scoring ability, two things sorely lacking in last year's team. A good start for Coach Groce.