Fenway women’s basketball coach John Rice announces retirement – Boston Herald

The city’s coaching legend decided to put an end to it.

Longtime Burke and Fenway basketball player John Rice has announced his retirement after a stellar 35-year career. He compiled a 474-164 record, won 20 Boston City League titles, three state championships, a berth in the state finals and four appearances in the state semifinals.

“You’re always thinking about when the time is right,” Rice said. “I don’t know if it’s ever the right time, but I think it’s a good time for me.”

A star basketball player for Boston State/Massachusetts-Boston, Rice finished his career with 1,718 points and 450 assists, averaging 17 points and 4.5 assists in 101 games with a career field goal percentage of .473 (632-1,334). . As a junior, Rice ranked 17th in the country, averaging 22.1 points per contest at Boston State, and earned All-MASCAC honors for the second time.

He is the only men’s basketball player in program history to have his jersey retired and still holds the single-season records for free throws made (153) and free throw attempts (215). After his college career, Rice was drafted by the NBA’s Boston Celtics in the ninth round.