The last time fans saw Rodney Rice on the floor was at the Maui Invitational, and a long, hopeful wait for his return has just ended in disappointment.

Even though the USC Trojans were 4-1 without him, the hope of seeing their standout player return only grew with each passing game. But when the update finally arrived, it was the last thing anyone wanted to hear.

According to Joe Tipton of On3, Rice would need surgery to repair his shoulder injury, effectively ruling him out for the rest of the season.

“Heal up, Rod 🙏,” the Trojans wrote on X, alongside confirming the worst that Trojans fans were bracing for.

Rice had quickly emerged as one of the nation’s most impactful transfers, putting up 20.3 points and 6.0 assists over his first six games of the season.

The production was no fluke. He was coming off a breakout 2024-25 year at the Maryland Terrapins, where he averaged 13.8 points and played a key role in the team’s run to the Sweet 16.

The guard scored 20+ points in four of his six appearances for the Trojans, consistently setting the tone offensively. His best showing came in the Maui Invitational opener against the Boise State Broncos, where he dropped 27 points in a 70-67 win, adding three assists, one rebound, and a steal to cap off a statement performance.

Losing Rodney Rice leaves Eric Musselman with a major hole to fill, but there is reason for optimism.

Alijah Arenas, the son of Gilbert Arenas and a five-star recruit in the 2025 class, could make his return sometime in mid-January. He has been on a long road back after suffering a knee injury in July, barely after he finally returned to practice following an April car crash that kept him hospitalized for nearly a week.

But even with Arenas potentially returning, it’s impossible to overlook the impact Rice had, and that’s precisely what Musselman addressed when speaking about the injury.

Eric Musselman on Rodney Rice’s injury

As the season unfolds, Eric Musselman continues to grapple with a growing, concerning crisis. Rice is the second USC player to be lost for the season due to injury in recent weeks. Amarion Dickerson was also sidelined after suffering a hip injury that is expected to keep him out for three to four months.

“Rodney is an instrumental part of our team,” Musselman said. “He is a leader for us and has been the offensive spark that guided us through crucial games earlier this season. We will miss his energy on the court, but know his leadership will still be crucial to our team’s success. We look forward to watching him attack his rehab and come back even stronger.”

Of course, the Trojans would much rather have their star guard on the floor than on the injury list, but they now have no choice but to move forward without Rice. Veteran Chad Baker-Mazara is in the middle of a career season, but will he be enough to carry the Trojans into a deep March run?

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