UMass Boston

John "Boo" Rice was a basketball star before he even set foot onthe UMass Boston campus, having played for Boston State Collegefrom 1979-82. He finished his career with UMB in 1982-83 and earnedN.A.B.C Northeast All-District Second Team honors with a lethalcombination of scoring (18.3 ppg.) and playmaking (5.6 apg.), whileleading the Beacons to their first NCAA tournament appearance.Known as one of the best point guards among small college playersin New England, Rice finished his career with 1,718 points and 450assists, averaging 17 points and 4.5 assists in 101 games, whileowning a career field goal percentage of .473 (632-1334). As ajunior, Rice ranked 17th in the nation, averaging 22.1 points percontest for Boston State and earned All-MASCAC honors for thesecond time. He is the only men's basketball player in theprogram's history to have his jersey retired and still holdssingle-season records for free throws made (153) and free throwattempts (215). His 515 points, in his only season with theBeacons, is the fifth-highest single-season scoring total at theschool. Following his collegiate career, Rice was drafted by theNBA's Boston Celtics.