2021 PG Tyler Rice runs the show for state powerhouse Ridge View and this week, as coaches got back on the road, many made a beeline to check out Rice and his teammates, including 2020 PF Ja’Von Benson. Clemson was one of the first programs in on Monday to watch the open gym. Rice has offers from Penn State, Elon and Upstate but the Tigers are show strong interest.

“They are just saying they are going to keep in touch and we’re going to grow the relationship,” Rice said.  “They are going to keep coming down to see me and Benson and hopefully I can get down there for a visit sometime.  I haven’t been on a visit but I have been to their campus and I think they have a top tier campus and I love the way it’s structured.  I’ve seen some of their facilities and it’s just nice.  I think those type facilities will help me get to where I want to go. I saw them play when they played The Citadel, where my brother plays, and I thought it was a very interesting style of play.  I liked it.”

Rice said Western Carolina and the College of Charleston were in Tuesday and and he’s also expecting USC to be in this week to see him and Benson. Benson has an official visit set with the Gamecocks for this weekend and Rice said he plans to visit sometime next week.

“I hear from them very often,” he said.  “We keep up a lot.  I’ve already been on multiple visits there and the relationship is very strong with the coaches.  In the near future, that will be a very good team to keep in consideration.”

Rice said he’s also hearing from Harvard, Columbia, Appalachian State, where he recently visited, Georgia State, UT Chattanooga, Cincinnati and Charlotte.