Kemba Walker graduated from Rice in 2008 before helping Connecticut win a national title.
Photo courtesy of USA Basketball
For the second year in a row, a prominent school and basketball program in the Northeast is falling victim to a budget crisis.
Storied
Rice (New York, N.Y.), which has produced the likes of Felipe Lopez and Kemba Walker, will close its doors at the end of June, according to the
New York Post. The publication cited declining enrollment and insufficient funds as the primary causes for the move.
The school was perhaps best known for its powerhouse basketball program. As recently as the 2008-09 season, the Raiders were a factor nationally, going 25-3 and winning a state title. The 2006-07 team featured Walker, Lamont Jones (set to transfer from Arizona) and Durand Scott (Miami), recording a 27-4 record that included a win over a Derrick Rose-led
Simeon (Chicago, Ill.) team.
Last spring it was
Paterson Catholic (Paterson, N.J.) closing up shop following a 28-1 season on the hardwood. Cougar transplants
Kyle Anderson and
Myles Mack helped
St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) go undefeated and win a national title.
Reggie Cameron and
Kavon Stewart played prominent roles at nearby Hudson Catholic.
The talent pool at Rice isn't as deep as it once was, but highly-touted junior
Melvin Johnson will be a huge addition for somebody.
