The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Rice named Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week
01.16.2023 | Men's Basketball
Graduate guard averaged 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in UT’s two comeback wins.
IRVING, Texas — University of Texas graduate guard Sir'Jabari Rice has been named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week, the league office announced Monday. This marks Rice's first career weekly league honor.
Rice paced the Longhorns to a pair of comeback wins last week against No. 17/17 TCU (79-75) and Texas Tech (72-70). In the two contests, Rice averaged 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists while converting 16-of-19 (.842) free throws in 25.5 minutes per game.
During Wednesday's win against No. 17/17 TCU (Jan. 11), Rice registered 15 points (3-6 FG, 1-2 threes, 8-9 FT) and six rebounds in 23 minutes. He scored all 15 of his points in the second half and sealed the win by grabbing an offensive rebound and hitting a pair of free throws with six seconds remaining.
In Saturday's victory against Texas Tech (Jan. 14), he recorded 18 points (8-10 FT), four assists, two rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 29 minutes. He tied his career high in blocks and tied his season high in FT made. Rice tallied 15 points (3-7 FG, 7-8 FT), three assists against one turnover, two blocks and one steal during 17 minutes of action in the second half. He converted 5-of-6 free throws in the final 20 seconds to close out the victory.
Through the first 17 games, Rice ranks fourth on the team in scoring (10.4 ppg), assists (42) and minutes (24.0 mpg) and tied for third in rebounding (3.7 rpg). He has converted 45.6-percent (57-125) from the floor and a team-best 86.8-percent (46-53) from the free throw line and sports a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio (42 assists, 24 turnovers) this year.
No. 7/7 Texas (15-2, 4-1 Big 12) returns to action when it travels to face No. 12/12 Iowa State (13-3, 4-1 Big 12) on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central at Hilton Coliseum, and the contest will be streamed nationally by Big 12 Now/ESPN+.
