Shawnee’s Daley Rice
By Elizabeth Contreras
Shawnee High School senior Daley Rice found herself constantly immersed in basketball from an early age. Influenced by her sister, Rice has been playing since the first grade.
“I was first drawn to basketball when my sister started playing in 7th grade, and since then I’ve always been surrounded by the game,” she shared.
Recognized for her notable height and wingspan for her position, she is known for her shooting range, ball-handling, and passing. Maintaining a near 4.0 GPA, Rice has been praised as a scholar-athlete, highlighting her success both on the court and in the classroom. With multiple college offers, Rice continues to play in high-level exposure events.
As an altruistic member of the Lady Wolves, her humility propels her forward with a focus on team achievement rather than personal accolades.
“I would describe my playing style as unselfish,” she said. “I want everyone to be successful.”
With a mindset that has made her a trusted teammate and a vital contributor during her senior year, she says her focused area of improvement is her efficiency in the post.
“I’ve worked hard on posting up more and being more efficient,” she said. “I did that by posting up in our sessions and during games.”
Her willingness to work, adjust, and grow has helped her elevate her game throughout her final seasons.
Rice also emphasized the importance of mental preparation and resilience. Before big games, she clears her mind by watching film and taking time to rest, which helps her stay focused and ready to compete. She acknowledged that setbacks, such as tough losses or mistakes during play, are part of the game.
“I try to bounce back, learn from it, and make the best the next time,” she said.
Balancing her final year of high school basketball with academics is a responsibility she takes seriously. Prioritizing schoolwork before everything else has ensured Rice can give maximum effort on the court.
“I’m academic-first,” she said. “I want to be successful outside of basketball so I can be successful in basketball.”
Her mindset reflects her future ambitions well and she hopes to continue her basketball career after graduation. Off the court, Rice values the close bond she shares with her teammates and said the team’s chemistry and trust are the foundation for the Lady Wolves’ success. With leadership and a selfless dedication to others, Rice’s final season promises to be one defined not only by her talent but by her character as well.
