Auburn, UNC, Arizona State keeping tabs on Class of ’22 guard Zion Cruz
By ADAM ZAGORIA PRINCETON, N.J. -- Zion Cruz,
By ADAM ZAGORIA PRINCETON, N.J. -- Zion Cruz,
TRENTON, N.J. — Mike Rice doesn’t like to talk about redemption.
He’s not in the coaching business for any kind of recovery or reclamation or return.
He’s in it because he’s a basketball lifer, a guy who just loves teaching kids and coaching the game of basketball — as I wrote in this New York Times story in December.
With all that said, Rice is a shrewd guy, too. He knows that leading The Patrick School to the New Jersey Tournament of Champions title on Monday night — and behaving well all season long en route to the title — can probably help him back into college basketball.
“I hope it sends a positive [message], but that’s not my purpose,” Rice said after co-coaching the Celtics to a 69-55 victory over Don Bosco Prep in the New Jersey Tournament of Champions final on Monday night at Sun National Bank Center. “My purpose is developing and being a part of these individuals’ lives, these student-athletes’ lives, and doing it in a positive way. And that’s what my motivation is.”
TRENTON, N.J. — Nick Richards celebrated a New Jersey Tournament of Champions title by laughing, shouting and dancing with his Patrick School teammates inside a locker room at Sun National Bank Center on Monday night.
He only managed 7 points and 7 rebounds while battling foul trouble in the 69-55 win over Don Bosco Prep but you wouldn’t have known that based on the size of his smile after winning the title with his teammates.
“I thought the best thing they did was push Nick out of his comfort zone,” Patrick School co-coach Mike Rice said. “Over the last two months, Nick has been as consistent as I’ve seen him since I’ve been with him the last two years. He’s been incredible.”
“But did you notice the smile on his face? It doesn’t matter. And sometimes in college, it matters because they’re mad, they’re angry. No, Nick was as happy as when he had 28 and 18 and that’s the purity and fun of high school basketball.”
By ADAM ZAGORIA TRENTON, N.J. -- For Kentucky-bound
