University Southern California Trojans
Players Mentioned
Photo by: Katie Chin
Q&A with Rodney Rice
July 24, 2026 | Men's Basketball
LOS ANGELES — With a talented mix of returners, transfers and blue-chip freshman recruits, the USC Men's Basketball team is looking to make the NCAA Tournament in Head Coach Eric Musselman's third year.
Senior guard Rodney Rice returns for a second season with the Trojans and he sat down to talk about returning to USC,, last year's season-ending injury, how to overcome the toll of injuries and his personal goals.
Last season ended with a season-ending injury. What did you miss most about competing out on the court?
Just playing with my teammates. And just not being able to do what I love. It kind of bothers me a little bit because I have to watch from the sidelines. And I just hate watching. I want to be out there on the floor.
After some off-season deliberation, you decided to return to USC. What went into that decision? What were some of the factors?
I had unfinished business. I didn't get a chance to really play. I like what Head Coach Eric Musselman has going on here. He lets me play my game. He lets me play free. It's a great situation for me, both on and off the court. So I have a lot of opportunities, and I just want to continue to take advantage of those.
How much of the "what if" of last season is going to fuel you in the upcoming season?
Yeah, it is a 'what if,' but I have a new opportunity, a new start with some new guys. I feel like we're talented and we can put together a great run – something special.
This isn't your first time dealing with injuries. How have you learned to deal with these setbacks?
I've just learned to stay patient. Time will heal all. And don't get me wrong, I gotta stay on top of everything — my rehab, getting in the gym when I can and doing whatever I can do to benefit myself and get better everyday. It's about taking the time to get to 100% is very important.
What is the most difficult when dealing with injuries? The physical or the mental toll?
Physical can turn into mental. If I'm rehabbing and something's bothering me, and I can't really do a certain exercise. It's like, 'Dang. How long is it gonna take for me to get that done or move past that point?' It's both. I got this tattoo on my leg that saysWalk by faith, not by sight." And what that means is sometimes you're not gonna be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you just have to keep pushing and have faith in God. I got this right after I broke my foot during my freshman year.
The Trojans have a deep backcourt this year. What most excites you about this group of guards, both returners and new additions?
Returners are always important because they know what's happening and they know what the coaches expect. I feel like we're more explosive this year. We have about three or four guys that can really do it. I have confidence in this whole guard group and I think we can get something special done.
How important is personnel continuity for a successful season?
Having Big Ten experience is important. I have personally played in the Big Ten tournament and I know what it takes. That stuff is important. Jacob Cofie, Alijah Arenas and I played in the Big Ten and we know what it's going to be like every night — the physicality and the mental side of the game.
What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?
I want to be an All-American. I think I have the talent to do so. I have a lot of confidence in myself. And make all first-team Big Ten. I've seen the most recent projections, and I disagree, and I don't like what I'm seeing, but I'm taking it into my own hands.
What's the ceiling on this team, in your opinion?
Final Four. Actually, the national championship.
Senior guard Rodney Rice returns for a second season with the Trojans and he sat down to talk about returning to USC,, last year's season-ending injury, how to overcome the toll of injuries and his personal goals.
Last season ended with a season-ending injury. What did you miss most about competing out on the court?
Just playing with my teammates. And just not being able to do what I love. It kind of bothers me a little bit because I have to watch from the sidelines. And I just hate watching. I want to be out there on the floor.
After some off-season deliberation, you decided to return to USC. What went into that decision? What were some of the factors?
I had unfinished business. I didn't get a chance to really play. I like what Head Coach Eric Musselman has going on here. He lets me play my game. He lets me play free. It's a great situation for me, both on and off the court. So I have a lot of opportunities, and I just want to continue to take advantage of those.
How much of the "what if" of last season is going to fuel you in the upcoming season?
Yeah, it is a 'what if,' but I have a new opportunity, a new start with some new guys. I feel like we're talented and we can put together a great run – something special.
This isn't your first time dealing with injuries. How have you learned to deal with these setbacks?
I've just learned to stay patient. Time will heal all. And don't get me wrong, I gotta stay on top of everything — my rehab, getting in the gym when I can and doing whatever I can do to benefit myself and get better everyday. It's about taking the time to get to 100% is very important.
What is the most difficult when dealing with injuries? The physical or the mental toll?
Physical can turn into mental. If I'm rehabbing and something's bothering me, and I can't really do a certain exercise. It's like, 'Dang. How long is it gonna take for me to get that done or move past that point?' It's both. I got this tattoo on my leg that saysWalk by faith, not by sight." And what that means is sometimes you're not gonna be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you just have to keep pushing and have faith in God. I got this right after I broke my foot during my freshman year.
The Trojans have a deep backcourt this year. What most excites you about this group of guards, both returners and new additions?
Returners are always important because they know what's happening and they know what the coaches expect. I feel like we're more explosive this year. We have about three or four guys that can really do it. I have confidence in this whole guard group and I think we can get something special done.
How important is personnel continuity for a successful season?
Having Big Ten experience is important. I have personally played in the Big Ten tournament and I know what it takes. That stuff is important. Jacob Cofie, Alijah Arenas and I played in the Big Ten and we know what it's going to be like every night — the physicality and the mental side of the game.
What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?
I want to be an All-American. I think I have the talent to do so. I have a lot of confidence in myself. And make all first-team Big Ten. I've seen the most recent projections, and I disagree, and I don't like what I'm seeing, but I'm taking it into my own hands.
What's the ceiling on this team, in your opinion?
Final Four. Actually, the national championship.
Monday, June 22
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