Point guard Aaron Powell became the latest member of a surging 2024 Rice basketball recruiting class that just keeps soaring higher and higher.
The new coaching staff is wasting no time making their mark. The 2024 Rice basketball recruiting class is already bordering on historic. The Owls have added four new players to the fold including their most recent commitment, point guard Aaron Powell, one of the highest-rated players in program history.
Powell originally signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Cal Poly this past fall but adjusted his plans when Rice entered the picture. Powell also had offers from the likes of Indiana, Arizona State and Cal State Fullerton. Instead, he’s headed south from his California home to play for head coach Rob Lanier and the Owls.
Classified as a four-star recruit by ESPN and a three-star recruit by 247 Sports, Powell slides in just behind Keanu Dawes, a 2023 Rice signee who holds the mantle of the highest-rated signee in program history. Dawes’ was recruited following Scott Pera’s sixth season at the help, though. To get someone of Powell’s caliber in a transition class is truly remarkable.
Powell joins fell commits Emory Lanier, Kellen Amos, Trey Patterson and Trae Broadnax.
More: Rice Basketball Roster Tracker
On the court, Powell is a force. He averaged 18.2 points per game this past season and adds some tenacity on the defensive end of the court, too. Powell has the potential to step in and carry a large load quickly when he arrives at South Main. His addition is absolutely massive for a rebuilding roster that just got a lot better in a hurry.
