The source for Rice sports news

Rice Basketball Recruiting: PG Aaron Powell commits to Owls

By

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.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Baseball 2024: MLB Owls Update – Apr 17

By

The 2024 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are busy on the mound and at the plate. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls.

Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels

After a slow start to the season, Rendon has heated up significantly over the past two weeks. In fact, no player in baseball had a better week than he did last week. Rendon recorded multi-hit games five times in six tries including two three-hit games to bookend the week. That snapped a cold spell with an emphatic crack of the bat.

Through April 16, Rendon is hitting .242 with three extra-base hits, five walks and 12 strikeouts. His OPS is .595 and he’s collected one RBI.

Injured List

J.T. Chargois – Miami Marlins

On Monday, Chargois thew a one-inning, 20-pitch live batting practice session. If all goes well he’ll throw a longer bullpen session on Friday. Chargois has been out since March 25 with neck spasms.

Glenn Otto – San Diego Padres

Prior to the beginning of the season, Otto was placed on the 15-Day Injured List on March 19 with a right teres major strain.

Knocking on the Door

The following Owls began the season in AAA:

  • Matt Canterino – St Paul Saints (Twins)
  • Tyler Duffey – Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals)
  • Jon Duplantier – Syracuse Mets (Mets)
  • Tristan Gray – Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins)
  • Evan Kravetz – Louisville Bats (Reds)
  • Lucas Luetge – Worcester Red Sox (Red Sox)
  • Dane Myers – Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins)
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Basketball Recruiting: F Trey Patterson commits to Owls

By

Another addition to the latest Rice basketball recruiting class is in the fold. Former Villanova transfer Trey Patterson has committed to the Owls.

The Rice basketball recruiting efforts have picked up in earnest under the direction of new head man Rob Lanier. In addition to his son, Emory, and CCSU guard Kellen Amos, the Owls have now landed a commitment from former Villanova forward Trey Patterson, bringing the total of new roster additions to three, and counting.

Patterson enrolled at Villanova in the spring of 2020, seeing action in just two regular season games that year, although he did notch an NCAA Tournament appearance against North Texas. He made a second appearance in the NCAAs the following year, logging minutes in a first round game against Delaware.

Patterson’s most recent season was marred by injury. He missed the entirety of the 2023-2024 campaign while recovering from labrum surgery on his right shoulder. Before the injury, Patterson appeared in 40 games for the Wildcats, mostly serving as a rotational piece off the bench. He’ll have two seasons of eligibility remaining when he arrives at South Main.

More: Rice Basketball Roster Tracker

A former Rivals 4-star recruit, the recurring commentary surrounding Patterson’s career so far has been injuries. In addition to the shoulder surgery, he’s also dealt with hip surgery and a sports hernia. The talent has never been an issue, it’s been all about availability. Both the Owls and Patterson hope he’ll be able to turn over a new leaf and Houston and showcase that talent on the court at Tudor Fieldhouse.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Basketball Recruiting: G Kellen Amos commits to Owls

By

The first Rice basketball recruiting addition of the new coaching staff is in. CCSU guard Kellen Amos has committed to the Owls.

Newly named Rice basketball head coach Rob Lanier has assembled his staff and hit the recruiting trail in earnest. The first commitment of his tenure comes in the form of Houston native Kellen Amos, who kicks off this new Rice basketball recruiting cycle with a bang, joining the Owls after spending the last two seasons at Central Connecticut State University.

Amos played his high school ball at Saint John College Prep in Houston before signing with Binghamton. He played two seasons there before transferring to CCSU where he stepped into a larger role with the Blue Devils. Amos started 63 games over the last two seasons, averaging 13.0 points per game and making 109 combined three-pointers.

With his help, CCSU secured the regular season title in the Northeast Conference. He was rewarded for his efforts with an all-NEC third-team selection this past season. In addition to Emory Lanier, head coach Rob Lanier’s son, Amos has also been joined by Villanova transfer Trey Patterson, slowly building up the Owls’ roster for the 2024-2025 season.

More: Rice Basketball Roster Tracker

Amos’ time at CCSU is filled with highlight-reel plays. He’s a capable scorer at multiple levels, adding a fearlessness at the rim to his ability to hit the deep shot, too. He’s also a threat on the defensive end of the court, protecting the rim with his 6-foot-7 frame and finding ways to turn defense into offense, like this.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Football Recruiting: RB D’Andre Hardeman commits to Owls

By

The 2025 Rice Football recruiting class has doubled in size, adding its second commitment in the form of North Shore running back D’Andre Hardeman.

A highly attended spring game has paid its first dividend. Days removed from dozens of high school players descending on South Main, the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class has added another piece. North Shore running back D’Andre Hardeman has committed to the Owls.

When he arrives at Rice, Hardeman will join up with teammate and current Rice signee Lavonte Johnson, who signed with the Owls on National Signing Day. Both players were offered on the same day in late January. Now both will suit up for the Blue and Gray. There’s also the notable link between Rice linebackers coach Jon Kay, who came to Rice last season after a successful coaching career at North Shore.

Hardeman, the son of former Texas A&M running back Tiki Hardeman, was by no means flying under the radar since then. The Owls were one of almost a dozen offers he received. He eventually picked Rice over offers from UTSA, UTEP, Arkansas State, UTEP and others.

The 2025 Rice Football recruiting class now consists of Hardeman and Madison Prep (LA) athlete Semaj Pierre, who was the first to pledge to the Owls in this cycle, doing so back in the summer of 2023.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

The 5-foot-8, 180-pound runner put up video game numbers on one of the best teams in the state of Texas, tallying 1,709 yards and 22 touchdowns last season alone and the film matches the boxscore. He’s an explosive runner with great vision, showcasing the patience to make the right cut and quickly climbing to the second level. He’ll be set to flourish in the Owls’ offensive scheme.

Become a Patron!
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts