Andrew Akuchie Archives

The Rice basketball roster will grow and change between the end of the regular season and the start of the next. Stay tuned here for updates.

Roster churn has become a part of college sports as we know and Rice basketball is not immune to the ebb and flow of players coming in and out. With the 2021-2022 season in the books, this page will serve as a running tracker regarding the roster for the upcoming season as it currently stands. The last official roster is available here.

Feel free to bookmark it and refer back to it from time to time as players announce their intentions throughout the offseason.

Departing with Eligibility (4)

C Mylyjael Poteat
G Chris Mullins
F Riley Abercrombie
G Noah Hutchins

Departing Seniors/Graduates (2)

G Terrance McBride
G Carl Pierre

Incoming High School Signees (3)

G Mekhi Mason
G Mason Jones
F Andrew Akuchie

Incoming Transfers (2)

F Seryee Lewis, Kansas State
G Alem Huseinovic, Nevada

Current Expected Remaining Roster (10)

G Jaden Geron
G Jake Lieppert
G Travis Evee
G Quincy Olivari
F Cam Sheffield
F Ben Moffat
G Reed Myers
F Max Fiedler
F Damion McDowell
F Jackson Peakes

Rice Basketball News

Official: Rice Athletics to join AAC on July 1, 2023

Posted: June 14, 2022

UPDATE: On Wednesday, June 15 Rice officially announced it will join the AAC on July 1, 2023. — Friday, June 10 — The AAC announced the formal exit of Houston, Cincinnati and UCF opening the door for Rice Athletics to move into the conference in 2023. The AAC brought college football realignment back to the […]

The Roost Podcast, Rice Football, Rice Football Recruiting, Conference USA, Rice Basketball

The Roost Podcast | Ep 112 – AAC Introductions with Fear the Wave

Posted: June 3, 2022

Rice will soon move to the AAC. Kelly Comarda from Fear the Wave helps orient the Owls to their new conference, talks rivalries and more. At some point in the not-so-distant future, Rice Athletics will join the AAC. When that time comes, the Owls will have revised schedules across all sports featuring some familiar faces […]

Rice Athletics, Rice Football, Rice Football Recruiting

How does new president impact Rice Athletics? — Patreon Q&A

Posted: May 30, 2022

Change is coming on the administrative front. The May 2022 Patreon Q&A focuses on the Owls’ incoming president and how he might impact Rice Athletics. This month’s Patreon Q&A focuses on incoming university president Reginald DesRoches and his attitude towards Rice Athletics. More specifically, what will his impact be on the athletic programs? Will he […]

The Roost Podcast | Ep 111 – Rice basketball guard Carl Pierre

Posted: May 29, 2022

Former Rice basketball guard Carl Pierre joins the show this week to talk about his time at South Main and what’s next for him in his basketball career. One of the most productive shooters on this past season’s Rice basketball squad, Carl Pierre made his lone season at South Main a productive one. He set […]

Rice Basketball, Rice Basketball Recruiting

Rice Basketball Recruiting: Nevada transfer Alem Huseinović commits to Owls

Posted: May 13, 2022

The Transfer Portal continues to help supplement the 2022 Rice Basketball recruiting class. Nevada transfer Alem Huseinović has committed to the Owls. As soon as the final buzzer sounded and the offseason began, Rice basketball recruiting and roster management took center stage. #GreenLightU will always be on the lookout for talented shooting guards, clear Huseinović spent […]

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

The 2022 Rice basketball recruiting class added one more to their numbers this week, picking up a commitment from versatile forward Andrew Akuchie.

After retooling the roster prior to the 2021 season, the 2022 Rice Basketball recruiting class was likely slated to include a handful of players. The longest-tenured commitment comes from guard Mekhi Mason committed in January. Now, with the summer winding to a close, Rice adds the first forward in the 2022 class: Andrew Akuchie.

Akuchie hails from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Like King and Mason before him, this out-of-state product should fit in well with the Owls’ fast pace offensive style. Akuchie mentioned the Owls’ tempo and willingness to push the ball in transition was something he was particularly excited to be apart of when he gets to campus, mentioning Pera’s willingness to let his players make plays. “Anyone can push the ball in transition,” Akuchie said.

On the court, the fit makes a lot of sense. The 6-foot-8 forward can hold his own inside and has the ability to score from different levels of the court. Aligning him with the quick-trigger guard play already on campus will add an extra dimension to the Owls’ offense.

At the time of his commitment, Akuchie picks Rice over offers from Albany, Lafayette and Canisius. All four programs had offered Akuchie over the summer, Albany first in early May and Rice coming not long after in mid June. Princeton and Holy Cross were in the running down the stretch, but after some time to get to know the staff and get a better feel for Rice, Akuchie had seen all he needed to see to make his decision.

“The coaching staff [is] supportive,” he said, adding it was evident that the coaches “care a lot about their players.” That familial atmosphere was important for him. And now he’s set to be a Rice Owl.