Rice Basketball The Coaches Say... “Playing my collegiate career at Rice that want to play professionally and love the game of “Coaching college basketball for 19 years University and now coaching at my alma basketball. We also want guys that are goal-oriented as both a head coach and as an assistant, I mater, I have some deep ties to this campus enough to know that at some point in their life the ball is have experienced NCAA tournaments, and community. When I was your age, the going to stop bouncing. So if you want to be successful NIT tournaments, conference best choice I could have made was to before, during and after your basketball career, Rice championships, 20-win seasons, being attend Rice for two reasons. First, Houston University provides those opportunities.” ranked in the Top 10, players being named is the greatest city in the world and there is not a better – Todd Smith, Assistant Coach to all-America teams and going on to the NBA, and a place to live. It’s the most diverse major city in the great many players graduating and going on to great United States. Second, the Rice experience is tailored to “As a 15-year resident, I wasn’t surprised to success in their chosen careers. each individual. As a student-athlete you’re going to have see Houston ranked as the eighth most- the best of both worlds and you’re going to be able to liveable city in the country. During my “These are the experiences that every player is looking have direct input on what goals you reach and how you involvement with the basketball program, for, and at Rice, you can most definitely have all of them. go about obtaining those goals. Now that I’m a member Rice University has always shared a special It takes resources, talented people around you and the of the staff, I’ve been privileged to see Rice grow even relationship with the city of Houston. As right environment. Rice has all of these, and you’ll also more through the opportunities and experiences that are the fourth-largest city in the nation, Houston is on the find a true commitment to the student-athlete. When my available to the student body. As a product of this cutting edge socially, culturally and technologically. The son Brock chose Rice, I couldn’t have been happier as a university, I am proud to say that Rice University is still players in our program and students in general take full parent; I knew that he had a golden opportunity to the best choice.” advantage of the opportunities Houston provides in the ‘experience it all’ as a student-athlete while surrounded – Willis Wilson, Head Coach way of internships, terrific summer jobs, great by some of the very brightest people you will find Rice University ’82 restaurants, a multitude of exciting social activities and of anywhere. We have the environment and the people who course outstanding job opportunities after graduation. can help a young player get to where he wants to go in “Being a former Division I athlete, there Right now, there is not a better place in the country to his career to the next level with success and with one of are two things that make Rice University live or attend college than Rice University in Houston.” the very best college degrees you can get in the country!” stand above the rest. First, having the – Marty Gross, Assistant Coach – Marty Gillespie, Assistant Coach opportunity to play in one of the elite conferences in the nation is a great asset. Conference USA is a basketball league with basketball-crazy fans. Secondly, the opportunity to receive an education from a school that is ranked year-in and year-out in the top 15 for academics. When you combine the athletic and academic excellence there aren’t many schools that can compare to Rice. We want guys Former Players Say... “The most important thing about Finally, the Rice experience is unforgettable. “Having a Rice degree to fall back attending Rice University is that Rice is extremely challenging, but after earning on later in life is one of the most you know you’re going to get a a Rice degree, student-athletes will definitely valuable assets a young basketball first-class education. Academics are have a sense of accomplishment. For a well- player could have. With the small stressed first, but you still compete rounded college experience, look no further student campus it is a close-knit against the top-level teams in the than Rice.” group that I definitely felt a part country. Coach Wilson and his staff have had – Torrey Andrews of. It is a very interactive campus and there is a their system in place for 15 years now and is Letterman 1991-94 • 1994 all-SWC lot of pride among the students. They should has been very effective. Rice is a perfect fit for have pride... they go to Rice University.” someone who wants to receive an education, as “When I transferred to Rice – Shaun Igo well as play quality basketball.” University the first difference I Letterman 1994-97 • 1996 & 1997 all-SWC – Robert Johnson noticed was the people. The people Letterman 1996-99 • 1999 all-WAC on campus are genuine and they are active in helping you achieve “The first and main reason a your goals academically and student-athlete should attend Rice athletically. My experience with Coach Wilson University is because it offers the and his staff was extremely positive. Their first most potential success for the priority is for you to graduate. Secondly, they future. Not only will student- want you to compete in the best league against athletes at Rice receive a great the best competition. Finally, they are totally education, but they will also be given the committed to you the person. That is why if opportunity to play in a challenging and you’re aspiring to be great and you are looking extremely competitive basketball conference. for a family atmosphere, then Rice University is The second reason for attending Rice is its the perfect fit.” campus. Rice's campus is simply beautiful and – J.J. Polk improvements are being made annually. Letterman 1995-97 Student-athletes will easily be able to make the Rice campus their ‘home away from home.’ 23 RICE BASKETBALL International Owls In August of 2006, head coach Willis Wilson, along with his family, wife Vicki, daughter Kristin, and sons Zach and Keenan, embarked on an Athletes In Action mission to the African country of Kenya. The tour, the first of its kind sponsored by AIA, was headed up by AIA’s Eric Nelson. Former Rice Owl all-conference performer Omar-Seli Mance (Rice, 2003) was also a member of the tour group. “I wanted my wife, Kristin, Zach, and Keenan to have a much greater appreci- ation for what they have and what’s been afforded to them and interna- tional travel was the The Rift Valley in Kenya. best way,” explains Wilson. “Eric Nelson, from Athletes In Action, said he had the per- fect trip in mind - Willis with (l to r) Zach, Kristen, Keenan, and wife Vicki. mission work in Kenya.” Since 1966, AIA has been sponsoring Coach Willis Wilson teaching athletic teams’ at a basketball clinic. Christian mission around the globe. “I’ve yet to find the words to describe how significant and meaningful the trip to Kenya has been to me and my fami- ly,” said Wilson. “I’ve been to 15 for- eign countries and this AIA trip to Kenya was the most unique and reward- ing experience that I’ve encountered.” During the trip to Kenya, the group conducted basketball clinics and visited orphanages and schools, in addition to taking a safari trip through the Rift Valley. 24 RICE BASKETBALL International Owls AIA tour group with the Kenyatta University basketball team. Below: AIA’s Eric Nelson, Kip Keino, a former two-time Olympic gold medalist for Kenya, and Rice head coach Willis Wilson. Below: Former Rice Owl guard Omar-Seli Mance giving a lecture at a basketball clinic. Coach Wilson teaching the “defensive slide” (above and below) at a basketball clinic. 25 Rice Basketball International Owls Rice University is already an international leader In the past, Rice has participated in the Maui a total of eight games in front of packed arenas in higher education and Owl basketball often Invitational and the Tokyo Ball. The Owls made and a total of six of the games appeared on follows suit. In the Willis Wilson era at Rice, the the trip to Maui in 1991 and played in the NCAA television, including one on national TV in Owls have traveled to and played in such Ball in Tokyo in 1992. In addition to team travel China. It literally was one of the most watched international destinations as Brazil, Spain, abroad, Rice players are annually invited on an games in the world that year. In the eight games, Portugal, France, Mexico, and England on individual basis to compete on all-star squads that the team went 5-3, with all three losses coming at summer tours. also travel to international destinations. Former the hands of the Chinese National Team, which Owl and current NBA pro Mike Wilks was was the same squad that played at the New York In 2000, the team had a six-game, 11-day tour selected for an all-star trip to Italy. Goodwill Games and 2000 Summer Olympics in through Europe. The Owls finished the trip with Sydney.