Colorado University Athletics
Buffaloes Sign Standout Guard Rice To Letter Of Intent
November 11, 2015 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER – Bria Rice has signed a national letter of intent to play for the University of Colorado women's basketball team and continue her education beginning in 2016-17, head coach Linda Lappe announced on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA's early signing period.
“Bria is a high energy player who will increase our overall speed and athleticism especially on the defensive end of the floor,” said Lappe. “She will give us depth in the guard position and we look for her to compete as a freshman. She has high character and loves to win so she fits in great here at Colorado."
Rice, a 5-foot, 8-inch guard from Federal Way, Wash. is preparing for her senior year at Todd Beamer High School where she helped lead the Titans to a school best third-place finish at the 2015 Class 4A state girls' basketball tournament.
“When I came to Colorado on my official visit, I already felt like I belonged as the team and coaches felt like family,” said Rice. “I am looking forward to getting better and using my skills to help the team continue to improve.”
The Washington native earned a scout grade of 90 on ESPN.com and is described as a jet-quick floor leader, pesky defender in pressure while flourishing in up-tempo situations.
The high school standout averaged 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.5 steals as a junior and has guided her team to three-straight 20+ win seasons, culminating in an impressive 73-9 record.
Rice refers to her style of play as intense and aggressive, and will look to bring that same approach with her when she steps onto campus next fall.
“The fact that the team pushes each other, I love that,” Rice said. “Because if you're not pushing each other you're not making each other better. Not only are they there to encourage each other they are there to make each other better and I'm excited to be on a team that has the same mentality that I do.”
Rice has earned numerous accolades during high school. She was voted the 2014-15 SPSL 4A Northwest Division Most Valuable Player, which Rice highlights as the biggest moment of her high school career thus far. Her MVP honors came in the same year she helped Todd Beamer qualify for the state tournament for the first time in school history. She also was named The News Tribune's Girls All-Area Basketball Player of the Year.
In addition to her consistent contributions to the Titans, Rice played AAU for Tree of Hope in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, the same team current Buff Haley Smith was a member of during her prep career. Rice's team placed second in 2014 and then earned a third place finish in 2015 at Nike Nationals.
The Buffaloes will open their 2015-16 season on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. when they host Loyola Marymount at the Coors Events Center.
