Point guard Ramel Lloyd Jr. and the 6-8 wing are the other Huskers that joined the portal on Monday.

In his true freshman year for Nebraska, Rice looked promising. He had a nice swing and made a few 3-pointers along the way, including clutch baskets off the bench in victories over Michigan State and Kansas State.

He missed the remainder of the season due to a high-ankle sprain sustained at the end of January, but he was accessible and wearing his uniform for the NCAA Tournament.

“He’s a helluva shooter, scorer, whatever you need from him offensively. …” About Rice in-season, Josiah Allick stated. “I am aware that he will take our shots. The most challenging aspect has been persuading him to perform the menial defensive tasks for us, like chatting, high contest, blocking, and so forth.”

However, Allick and seasoned coach C.J. Wilcher were equally thrilled with Rice’s progress as was the head coach.

C.J. Wilcher, a seasoned Husker, stated during the preseason that “Eli is really special.”Even when he’s not on the court, he keeps to himself. At such a young age, he really is somewhat of a pro. He’s really exceptional and will be very, very good. Since he initially arrived, he has grown.He still has to deal with the normal freshmen adjustments from time to time, but the coaches have done a fantastic job of holding him to the same standards as Brice Williams and myself and not treating him like a freshman.

Several times, Fred Hoiberg expressed his pride in Rice’s progress since the summertime arrival in Lincoln. Early in the season, the coach stated, “The kid has a chance to be a superstar when it’s all said and done.”

Rice averaged 4.2 points, 1.6 assists, and 41.3 percent shooting at the end of the season. His last game before the injury occurred came on January 27, when he played in an away defeat to Maryland and finished with five points, four rebounds, and eighteen minutes of play. His percentage behind the arc was 37%.

Now that Lloyd and Rice are in the transfer portal, Nebraska has filled ten of its thirteen scholarship spots.