R.J. Hampton ‘over 50 percent’ to reclass in July, make college choice later this summer

By ADAM ZAGORIA CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- R.J. Hampton

Mike Rice to coach fledgling New Jersey basketball academy that hopes to compete with Montverde, Oak Hill and other national powers

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Mike Rice will be back on the sidelines coaching high-level basketball in New Jersey next season.

The former Rutgers and Patrick School head coach has signed on to become the first coach at the fledgling Princeton Arts & Sports Academy (PASA) in West Windsor Township, N.J.. The first-year programs hopes to eventually challenge national powers Montverde Academy (FL), Oak Hill Academy (VA) and Findlay Prep (NV) for national championships.

“I took this job because it’s an exciting opportunity for me to kind of build and develop this program to new heights,” Rice, 50, said Friday by phone before boarding a flight for Kansas City, where he will coaching Team Rio on the Under Armour AAU circuit.

“Everyone certainly knows the Patrick School in the Northeast and I’m looking forward to making this a national program in line with Montverde and IMG-type schools.”