The M.J. Rice Blog: ACL Surgery, Duke Visit, John Wall, New Edition and More
M.J. Rice is a five-star shooting guard in the 2022 class who combines elite athleticism, brute strength and scoring ability on all three levels. This season, Rice was pumping in 25 points, nine rebounds and two assists a game for Durham (N.C.) Academy before tearing his ACL in December. That production has everyone from Duke to Kentucky to Texas Tech to Pittsburgh, among many others, all in hot pursuit. Now, Rice has agreed to give SI All-American exclusive access into his world by chronicling everything from his road back to recovery to intimate details about his recruitment to his everyday life in a blog.
What’s going on world, this is M.J. Rice and I’m starting my new blog with Sports Illustrated so I’m excited about that. I’m gonna give you guys a look at what my life is like on and off the court so let’s get into it.
RELATED: Five-Star Shooting Guard M.J. Rice Tears ACL
As most of you know I tore my ACL and right now I’m recovering.
The surgery went great and I went to the doctor again last Saturday and he said everything was looking strong. In the next couple of weeks I should be able to walk without my brace.
Right now, I’m focusing on the stretching and the mobility work and going to my PT just trying to get it stronger.
I’ve had a lot of support since the surgery, of course from my family, but also from my Team Wall coaches and teammates, college coaches just telling me how to come back from the injury and John Wall.
John always gives me advice, but he was just wishing me luck on the surgery and telling me that he’s there for me if I ever want to talk.
Felt good to have him and everyone else checking in on me.
I feel like this whole situation is gonna make me stronger mentally.
That’s the most important thing right now. My dad wants me to keep a journal just go get all of my feelings out so I’ve started doing that.
I’ve been watching a lot of Kobe Bryant videos and different motivational videos of athletes talking about how they came back better than before.
That’s all I’m focused on.
Before I went in for surgery, I took an unofficial visit to Duke.
It was a great experience just being there. It was great to talk with Coach K, Coach Nolan (Smith), Coach (Jon) Scheyer and the players.
The atmosphere was great and Coach K talked to me about how they’d been watching me and would continue to watch me and check in throughout my recovery.
The staff there was so supportive, and they showed a lot of love. You can tell that it’s really a brotherhood there so that’s what stood out to me the most.
Now that my leg is doing better I’ll be able to get out and see my guys play some games. They’re doing good, and I’m they’re biggest cheerleader right now.
With the surgery and recovery and everything I’m playing catchup with my schoolwork, but I’m getting back on track right now.
M.J. Rice shoots jump shots despite being in a cast.
Rice Family
That’s really important to me so I’m putting a lot of focus on that.
I think my favorite class right now is History. We’re learning about the dark ages and kings and things like that. It’s pretty interesting!
Of course I listen to a music like most guys my age, but I only listen to guys NBA YoungBoy and guys like that when I’m getting ready for a game.
I’m a little different because I’m more into R&B.
I’m listening to a lot of Bryson Tiller, Brent Faiyaz and Summer Walker. I listen to older Trey Songz and older Chris Brown music too, plus I listen to old school R&B too like New Edition.
Like I said, I’m a little different! Haha!
OK everybody, I appreciate you taking the time to read, but I’ve gotta get going.
Check back soon and I’ll have another update for you.
Peace.
Don’t forget to follow M.J. Rice:
Twitter: @MJrice_1