WHO IS DARIUS RICE?

For the meantime, let's deviate our attention from the heated wars of the on-going NBA play-offs (the Suns had just avoided themselves from being swept by the defending champs Spurs and the Pistons had just squared their series with the Sixers at 2-all) and take a look at an american import, who is presently taking the local pro loop by storm, the Purefood TJ Hotdogs' reinforcement Darius Rice.

Rice caught the fancy of local hoop fans by pouring in 56 points to lead the TJ Hotdogs to a nail-biting double overtime thriller of a win over the Magnolia Beverage Masters, 127-126 in its season opener last 02 April 2008. The PBA had not seen an explosive type of an import since the days of Tony "Hurricane" Harris, who displayed his wares during the early 90s with the RFM Swift squad. But who is Darius Rice? Where the hell did he came from? Is he an NBA vet?

I made a researched yesterday from the piles of books and magazines in my own little sports library at home and whoa!, I had gathered something about Mr. Rice! The following is the complete profile on Darius Rice, from the 2007 Pre-Season Media Guide of the Cleveland Cavaliers, which reads :

"2006-07: Played in 18 games with the Dakota Wizards of the NBDL.... averaged 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 25.4 minutes...... scored a regular season-high 32 points at Austin on April 13.... set D-League Championship game records with 52 points and 11 three-pointers made in the Final game, a 129-121 overtime win against Colorado.... started four of five played with the Cleveland Cavaliers Summer League team during the 2007 Vegas Summer League.... averaged 10.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.... finished with 19 points on 7-13 shooting against San Antonio and put up 21 points on 8-11 shooting versus Phoenix.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Played in two games with Polpak Swiecie of the Polish League during the 2005-06 season.... averaged 3.5 points and 1.5 rebounds.... joined the Gary Steelheads of the CBA and played in five games.... averaged 8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds.... also played in one game with the Marinos de Anzoategui of the Venezuelan League.... scored 17 points and four rebounds.... played in 42 games with the Florida Flame of the NBDL during the 2004-05 season.... averaged 10.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

COLLEGE CAREER: Was a four-year starter at Miami, averaging 16.1 points and 5.7 rebounds.... started 113 games, most at that point in School History.... only the second player in school history to lead the team in scoring, four consecutive seasons.... named All-Big East Second team as a senior.... led the Hurricanes in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (6.4).... led the team in scoring 15 times and in rebounding on 10 occasions.... averaged a team-high 18.7 points as a junior.... named Second Team All-Big east.... on four occasions hit a three-pointer to either win a game or send it to overtime.... had 28 points and seven rebounds against No. 3 Connecticut.... started 31 of 32 games as a sophomore.... recorded 20 or more points a team-high 10 times, including three 30 point games.... became first "Cane since Eric Brown in 1989 to records consecutive 30-point games.... set Miami freshman single-game records for points (35), three-point field goals (7) and 30-point games (2) on his way to being a Big East All-Rookie selection.... scored in double figures 20 times and led team in scoring 10 times.

PERSONAL: Nephew of NFL star receiver Jerry Rice.... son of Tom and Brenda Rice.... father was an All-American football player at Jackson State.... majored in Finance.... enjoys playing chess and working on his computer."

So there goes the complete details on super-import Darius Rice. But the million dollar question now is can he lead the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs to the promise land of the on-going Fiesta Cup, after the Hotdogs heartbreaking defeat in the Philippine Cup finals to the Sta. Lucia Realtors? Stay tuned!