Rice played college ball at the University of Michigan, where he left a huge mark on one of the countries premier college basketball programs. He played all 4 seasons of eligibility at Michigan and was a starter for three of them. In the 1989 NCAA tournament he set a college record of 184 points in the tournament as he lead the Wolverines to the national title. When he left Michigan he had scored a school record 2,442 points. He appeared in 134 career games with averages of 18 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

The Miami Heat, who were coming off their expansion season, selected Rice with the 4th overall pick in the 1989 Draft. He would become the franchises first star and is still widely considered to be one of their top 10 greatest players of all-time. His rookie season was solid as he averaged 13 points a game on 44 percent shooting. He bumped it up to 17 in his second season and finally broke the 20 point barrier his third season.

After just four seasons of existence the Miami Heat made the NBA playoffs in 1992, but where made quick work of by the Chicago Bulls who swept the Heat in 3 games. Rice continued to improve and became the face of the Miami franchise but was always passed over for all-star consideration. The Heat made the playoffs again in 1994 but that series was marred by a couple of bench clearing brawls against the Atlanta Hawks which likely caused the Heat the chance to win the series as they lost in 5 games.

Right before the start of the 1995-96 season the Heat traded Rice to the Charlotte Hornets for Alonzo Mourning. Rice would find a new home with the Hornets and would once again become a great for a young franchise. In his first season with the Hornets he averaged 22 points a game and was selected to his first all-star game. The Hornets made the playoffs in Rice’s second year with them, and he once again made the all-star team where he had one of the most spectacular performances in all-star history scoring 26 points and beating out Michael Jordan for MVP honors.

Rice only played 3 seasons with the Hornets, and was an all-star in each of them, before he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers part way through the lockout shortened 1998 season. Rice became one of the few star level players who never was popular with the Lakers, mainly because he had been traded for fan favorite Eddie Jones. Rice played two season with the Lakers, and his last the 1999-2000 season the Lakers went on to win their first of 3 consecutive NBA titles.

The Lakers traded Rice, much to the chagrin of Shaquille O’Neal, to the New York Knicks. Rice played only one season in New York before he was moved to Houston. He seemed to have found a temporary home in Houston, despite an injury which limited him to only 20 games in 01-02, where he became a key role player for the Rockets and was generally liked by the Rockets. Unfortunately for Rice and the Rockets the NBA’s salary cap got in the way of them being together and Rice was dealt to the Utah Jazz for salary relief. Rice never suited up for the Jazz and was waived shortly after being acquired. Later that season Rice signed with the Los Angeles Clippers where he played the final 18 games of his career.

Glen Rice appeared in exactly 1,000 career games in the NBA and averaged 18 points per game. He was a 3 time all-star as well.

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