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Rice Basketball Recruiting: F Caden Powell commits to Owls

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The incoming 2024 Rice Basketball recruiting class just got bigger, landing a commitment from 6-foot-10 Wyoming transfer Caden Powell.

Days removed after a flurry of additions to the 2024 Rice Basketball recruiting class, the Owls have continued their roster rebuild with the pickup of an important big man. Forward Caden Powell, a Waco, Texas native, has committed to transfer from Wyoming to Rice.

Powell was a fixture for the Wyoming Cowboys last season, starting in 31 games and averaging 5.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He also blocked 24 shots. The second-year player took a step forward as a sophomore not long removed from being a top 25 player in the state of Texas, according to 247 Sports, when he signed with the Cowboys.

At that time, Powell had some interest from Texas A&M and offers from North Texas and others. He’s turned into a reliable contributor since and seems to be on an upward trajectory as he arrives at South Main with two years of eligibility remaining.

Powell joins a growing roster that has taken heavily from the Transfer Portal with the arrival of the new coaching staff. That class currently includes another Powell (Aaron), Emory Lanier, Kellen Amos, Trey Patterson and Trae Broadnax. There’s room for at least a few more given the current state of the roster. Don’t expect Powell to be the last.

More: Rice Basketball Roster Tracker

On the court, Powell’s presence in the interior is his biggest differentiator from what Rice has on its roster right now. He’s a rim protector with the ability to challenge opponents’ shots and is willing and able to crash the glass on the offensive side. He’s another important building block as this staff retools the Owls’ roster.

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Rice Basketball Recruiting: G Trae Broadnax commits to Owls

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Another talented guard is headed to South Main. The 2024 Rice Basketball recruiting class has landed a commitment from Trae Broadnax, formerly of UC Upstate.

The wave of Rice basketball recruiting wins isn’t slowing down any time in the near future. No sooner had the Transfer Portal opened than Rice added a couple of commitments. Now their third veteran addition has joined the fold. UC Upstate guard Trae Broadnax has committed to the Owls.

Broadnax was a two-year starter for UC Upstate where he averaged 12.6 points per game across those seasons, tacking up 3.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds to go along with the points. Broadnax stepped in and became a key piece of the Spartan’s roster immediately after beginning his basketball career with one season at the Naval Academy.

Powell joins fell commits Emory Lanier, Kellen Amos, Trey Patterson and Aaron Powell.

On the court, Broadnax should be a lot of fun when he gets to South Main. He’s aggressive to the rim and quick to put his foot on the deck and explode to the basket. It’s not just inside, though, Broadnax can score from all three levels and profiles as an effective three-point shooter, particularly when given the ball to catch and shoot — something his highlights showcase particularly effectively.

More: Rice Basketball Roster Tracker

He’ll fit in well at Rice with coach Lanier. Surrounding Broadnax with a great cast of players around him will only amplify his skillset. You can never have enough scorers, and Broadnax certainly fits that bill.

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Rice Basketball Recruiting: PG Aaron Powell commits to Owls

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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.

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Rice Basketball Recruiting: F Trey Patterson commits to Owls

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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.

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Rice Basketball Recruiting: G Kellen Amos commits to Owls

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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.

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