Boise State Athletics
Broncos Announce Addition of Max Rice to Coaching Staff
6/3/2026 8:45:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Rice begins coaching career after playing professionally from 2024-26
BOISE, Idaho — Boise State Men's Basketball head coach Leon Rice announced, on Wednesday, the addition of Max Rice as an assistant coach.
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"When Max expressed an interest in coaching, it was an absolute no-brainer to add him to the staff and welcome him back home," said head coach Leon Rice. "Max's knowledge, paired with the success he enjoyed as a player, both collegiately and professionally, will serve as an undeniable asset. What better person to help coach this group than someone who won over 100 games in this uniform, was an all-conference performer, and has intimate knowledge of what it takes to be successful in this program."
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Returning to Boise State for the first time since the conclusion of his collegiate career, Rice joins the coaching staff after playing professionally for two seasons. He suited up for Team FOG Naestved in Germany in 2024, and spent time with the East Perth Eagles of the National Basketball League (NBL) from 2025-26.
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In his tenure with the Eagles, spanning two seasons, Rice appeared in 34 games, including 11 this season from March to May. In those contests, Rice averaged 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 42 percent from the field.
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"I can't express how much of an honor and privilege it is to return to Boise State and serve this program, athletics department, university and community," said Max Rice. "I've always been a student of the game, and I'm looking forward to beginning my coaching career with an incredible staff and a supremely talented roster. I was fortunate enough to be part of some of the most successful teams in program history, and it's my goal to pay it forward this season and beyond."
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Playing five years for Boise State from 2019-24, Rice started 74-of-160 games played, including all 67 from 2022-24. Averaging double figures in each of his final two seasons, Rice totaled 1,257 points in his career and registered two 400-point campaigns.
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Graduating from Boise State in May 2024, Rice is 1-of-6 players in team annals to record totals of at least 1,200 points, 400 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 steals. Joining him on that list is Justinian Jessup, Chandler Hutchison, Anthony Drmic, Derrick Marks and Coby Karl.
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Rice enjoyed his best collegiate season in 2022-23, when he garnered All-Mountain West Second Team honors. That year, he averaged 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one steal while shooting 43.4 percent from the field, 40.9 from three and 85.7 at the free throw line.
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Across his five seasons, Rice played a pivotal role and was instrumental in the Broncos' team success. Winning 111 games and amassing a 69.4 winning percentage, Rice helped the team to three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2022-24), marking the first time Boise State accomplished the feat in program history.
In high school, Rice starred at Bishop Kelly High School and was a three-time First-Team 4A All-Idaho selection. He was a two-time 4A Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year and averaged 23.4 points and 7.9 rebounds as a senior.
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"When Max expressed an interest in coaching, it was an absolute no-brainer to add him to the staff and welcome him back home," said head coach Leon Rice. "Max's knowledge, paired with the success he enjoyed as a player, both collegiately and professionally, will serve as an undeniable asset. What better person to help coach this group than someone who won over 100 games in this uniform, was an all-conference performer, and has intimate knowledge of what it takes to be successful in this program."
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Returning to Boise State for the first time since the conclusion of his collegiate career, Rice joins the coaching staff after playing professionally for two seasons. He suited up for Team FOG Naestved in Germany in 2024, and spent time with the East Perth Eagles of the National Basketball League (NBL) from 2025-26.
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In his tenure with the Eagles, spanning two seasons, Rice appeared in 34 games, including 11 this season from March to May. In those contests, Rice averaged 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 42 percent from the field.
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"I can't express how much of an honor and privilege it is to return to Boise State and serve this program, athletics department, university and community," said Max Rice. "I've always been a student of the game, and I'm looking forward to beginning my coaching career with an incredible staff and a supremely talented roster. I was fortunate enough to be part of some of the most successful teams in program history, and it's my goal to pay it forward this season and beyond."
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Playing five years for Boise State from 2019-24, Rice started 74-of-160 games played, including all 67 from 2022-24. Averaging double figures in each of his final two seasons, Rice totaled 1,257 points in his career and registered two 400-point campaigns.
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Graduating from Boise State in May 2024, Rice is 1-of-6 players in team annals to record totals of at least 1,200 points, 400 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 steals. Joining him on that list is Justinian Jessup, Chandler Hutchison, Anthony Drmic, Derrick Marks and Coby Karl.
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Rice enjoyed his best collegiate season in 2022-23, when he garnered All-Mountain West Second Team honors. That year, he averaged 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one steal while shooting 43.4 percent from the field, 40.9 from three and 85.7 at the free throw line.
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Across his five seasons, Rice played a pivotal role and was instrumental in the Broncos' team success. Winning 111 games and amassing a 69.4 winning percentage, Rice helped the team to three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2022-24), marking the first time Boise State accomplished the feat in program history.
In high school, Rice starred at Bishop Kelly High School and was a three-time First-Team 4A All-Idaho selection. He was a two-time 4A Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year and averaged 23.4 points and 7.9 rebounds as a senior.
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