Rodney Rice Selected to Preseason Jerry West Award Top 20 Watch List
October 28, 2025 | Men's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – USC Men's Basketball's Rodney Rice has been named to the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watchlist, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today.
The annual Jerry West Award, named after the late Class of 1980 Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player, celebrates its 12th year by highlighting the top shooting guards in Division I men's college basketball.
Rice played last season at the University of Maryland, where he helped the Terrapins make a run to the Sweet Sixteen. He averaged 13.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while shooting at 43.4 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from beyond the arc. He comes into USC as one of the best players from the transfer portal. He ranked in the Top 10 for best wings according to Andy Katz and No. 23 on ESPN's Top 50 Most Impactful Newcomers list.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Friday, October 31. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2026 Jerry West Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to West's family and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Jerry West Award is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
For more information, visit hoopshallawards.com.
The annual Jerry West Award, named after the late Class of 1980 Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player, celebrates its 12th year by highlighting the top shooting guards in Division I men's college basketball.
Rice played last season at the University of Maryland, where he helped the Terrapins make a run to the Sweet Sixteen. He averaged 13.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while shooting at 43.4 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from beyond the arc. He comes into USC as one of the best players from the transfer portal. He ranked in the Top 10 for best wings according to Andy Katz and No. 23 on ESPN's Top 50 Most Impactful Newcomers list.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Friday, October 31. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2026 Jerry West Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to West's family and the Hall of Fame's selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Jerry West Award is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
For more information, visit hoopshallawards.com.
Players Mentioned
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