The Hoosiers’ head coach coached Iverson as an assistant in Philadelphia.
Indiana men’s basketball head coach Mike Woodson’s coaching career began at the NBA level, where he worked until taking the job at his alma mater in 2021.
He coaches multiple NBA stars through those years as a head coach or an assistant, occasionally likening players on his Indiana rosters to players he’s seen or worked with at the next level.
Speaking at Big Ten Media Days, he was asked if transfer guard Myles Rice reminded him of any players he’d coached in the past. A grin spread across his face before answering.
“Got a little Iverson overtone,” Woodson said. “I coached Allen in Philly. There’s a little Iverson overtone in terms of how he plays. I think, pound-for-pound, Allen Iverson was the best little scorer that’s ever played in the NBA.”
Indiana signed Rice out of the transfer portal this past offseason following the latter’s breakout Pac-12 Freshman of the Year season with Washington State. He’s expected to start for the Hoosiers at point guard this upcoming season.
He brings scoring ability, particularly in the pick-and-roll, and gets to his spots in the midrange level. If his 3-point shooting numbers improve, Rice could be among the best guards in the Big Ten.