College Commitment – Aidan Rice (2024 Beaverton)

Aidan Rice Aidan Rice 6'2" | PG Beaverton | 2024 State OR is off the board. After a sizzling senior season that included another trip to the Chiles Center, the emerging 6-foot-2 guard had plenty of opportunities on the table for him at the next level. Rice had an idea what he wanted though and was very proactive in the recruiting process and in the end, it all paid off as this week he announced that he'll be continuing his playing and academic career at the D-II level at Western Washington.

"I decided on WWU because I had a good connection with the coach," Rice said. "The city of Bellingham is a great place they have a winning culture. Also I believe that I have a chance to work towards a scholarship in my first 2 years which is something the coaches told me I could do. They are a fast pace team that shoots threes and plays hard defense and with passion I think the fits my game perfectly."

Rice joins Western Washington as a preferred walk-on and as noted, has a chance at earning scholarship money down the line. He had received plenty of recruiting interest from several schools in the Division III Northwest Conference and junior college could also have been an option. But Rice had a vision of what he wanted to pursue at the next level and his tenacity paid off after a recent trip to campus where he was able to connect face to face with the staff and spend some time in the gym.

"It really started from me reaching out to the coaches and being persistent when contacting and emailing them," Rice said. "I knew about the school and city from my sister who is a sophomore on the soccer team. When I went on a true visit they offered me the spot on the team."

Rice heads to Bellingham after a storied career at Beaverton, one where he scored over 1000 career points and really blossomed as a senior, averaging 20.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. After the season, he earned a spot on Team Oregon at the Northwest Shootout and helped the team to a win. While there's no question his best basketball is still ahead of him as he continues to develop physically, looking back on his high school career there's plenty of great memories for Rice to recall.

"Beating Southridge at the Chiles Center this year," Rice said. "Beating Grant at home to go to the Chiles Center sophomore year and playing against really good teams in the LSI and CCC (Capitol City Classic) such as Duncanville, Cane Ridge and Brandon Miller, and Columbus this year."

Our congratulations go out to Rice and his family on his decision.