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Big Ten Program Reportedly Spent Around $3 Million for Top Transfer

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Taylor Hartman | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 5:16 PM ET

The transfer portal is changing college basketball, and the USC Trojans just made one of the biggest moves of the offseason. The Trojans secured former Maryland guard Rodney Rice in a deal reportedly worth around $3 million, according to CBS Sports, an eye-popping number for a player switching schools.

Rice, a six-foot-four combo guard, is the type of scorer that makes coaches stop and take notice. He averaged 13.8 points per game, shot 37.4% from three, and flashed serious potential as a go-to offensive weapon for Maryland. His ability to create his shot and knock down perimeter jumpers made him one of the most sought-after players in the portal, with major programs like Villanova, Tennessee, and Gonzaga all showing interest before USC secured his commitment.

For head coach Eric Musselman, Rice’s arrival is a major win in year two of his rebuild with the Trojans. Musselman is known for aggressively using the portal to construct rosters, and Rice fits the mold of the kind of player he thrives coaching, an experienced guard who can score at all three levels and thrive in an up-tempo system.

USC has made it clear that it’s willing to invest heavily in talent, and Rice’s reported $3 million deal is proof of that. The Trojans are set to enter their second season in the Big Ten, where size and physicality dominate, and Rice will provide much-needed firepower in their backcourt.

Now, all eyes will be on him to see if he can live up to the hype and the price tag. If Rice delivers, this move could pay off hugely for a USC team looking to make serious noise in its new conference.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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