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Monday, November 3, 2008
BIG Greg
Central Indiana, IN
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By: By Chris Nelsen
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Photo(s) By: Jason Boyer
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With one sports season winding down and another getting set to begin, many athletes throughout central Indiana will make the transition from fall to winter athletics. Such is the case for Ben Davis senior Greg Rice.
Once football ends and the pads and helmet have been turned in, the Giants’ starting quarterback will shift gears and begin preparing for his final high school basketball season. He returns as Ben Davis’ starting point guard.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Rice is eager to prove he’s one of the top basketball players in the state. Following an impressive junior season – when he averaged 16 points and four assists – he caught the eye of numerous college programs.
In August, he made a verbal commitment to play basketball at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, choosing the Jaguars over the likes of Bradley University, Murray State University, Western Illinois University and Illinois State University.
Rice’s stepbrother, Larry Stone, a former basketball star at Howe High School, is currently a freshman on IUPUI’s team.
When Rice isn’t involved with athletics, he enjoys hanging out with his friends and acting like a “goofball.” He also takes his schoolwork seriously, maintaining a 3.0 GPA.
During a rare moment of downtime, Rice spoke with VYPE reporter Chris Nelsen about making the transition from football to basketball, his decision to attend IUPUI and much more.
Nelsen: Is it tough to go right from football to basketball?
Rice: It depends how you feel about the two sports. If you’re more of a football type, then it might be hard to transition to basketball. But for me, as football season is coming to an end, that’s when I start getting the basketball itch. I’m never ready for football to be over, but at the same time, I can’t wait for basketball.
Nelsen: How much time off do you enjoy between football and basketball?
Rice: You generally get a week before going to your next sport, but after football ends, I’m at basketball the next day.
Nelsen: You’ve been playing football and basketball since childhood. Which sport are you more passionate about?
Rice: My passion is basketball. I played football at Ben Davis for the simple fact that I wanted to make the team better. When it comes to basketball, that’s just something I love to do.
Nelsen: Both your positions – quarterback and point guard – are generally seen as leadership positions. Do you thrive in that role?
Rice: Yes, I like to be the leader. When we’re not in a real game, I’m the biggest goofball, and someone you want to be around to laugh. But when it comes time to play, that’s when I become the leader. I can persuade the team to come on my side, whether it’s right or wrong, based on how I do things.
Nelsen: You were drawing interest from some NCAA Division II and NAIA football programs. Why did you tell Ben Davis football coach Mike Kirschner you weren’t interested in listening to scholarship offers?
Rice: I told him, “You know my passion is basketball, so if any football coaches come to watch me, just tell them, ‘No way.’”
Nelsen: Basketball has traditionally been the most popular sport in Indiana, but do you think football has overtaken it?
Rice: Based on the years I’ve been playing, football maybe has surpassed basketball. Football has become more hip, and because so many people are doing it, it brings more people in. Right now, football has become the more mainstream sport, but I think it will only be a matter of time before basketball steps back in.
Nelsen: You have three family members all named Larry Stone. Your stepfather is Larry Stone Sr., your stepbrother is Larry Stone Jr. and your younger brother is Larry Stone. … How do you address one of them without getting responses from all three?
Rice: My stepdad, we call him big Larry. Before my actual brother came, we always called my stepbrother little Larry. When my younger brother came, we decided to call him Larry, so we wouldn’t have to change the little Larry and big Larry.
Nelsen: Why aren’t you named Larry?
Rice: (Laughing) I’m the unique one of the group because I’m the Greg.
Nelsen: Do most people know that Larry Stone, Jr. is your stepbrother?
Rice: To this day, people ask me, “Is Larry your brother?” And I have to tell them, “Yeah.”
Nelsen: What influence, if any, did your stepbrother have on you committing to IUPUI?
Rice: When I was younger, I used to play basketball with him all the time and we would have great success. Once I made the decision (to go to IUPUI), I thought maybe the same thing could happen again.
Nelsen: Did you become familiar with IUPUI’s program during your stepbrother’s recruiting?
Rice: When he was going through all his college preparation, I was pretty much right there with him, so when IUPUI came and spoke to me, I already knew everything about them. It wasn’t a hard decision.
Nelsen: Your stepbrother was an Indiana All-Star basketball selection last season. Are you going to make the team this year?
Rice: I will basically fight to be on that senior all-star team. I will pretty much do anything it takes. I’m not going to guarantee it, but I can almost make it certain that I will be on that team. •
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