Boucher: I wouldn’t have signed Rice
Former New Zealand Breakers general manager Dillon Boucher says they wouldn’t have signed the controversial Glen Rice Jr on his watch.
The shooting guard was to make his debut for the Breakers in their home game against Melbourne United last night, coming in as an injury placement for Scotty Hopson.
No one doubts Rice’s playing ability, but his previous off-court activities have raised concerns.
During Rice’s chequered past he was shot in the leg in an incident outside an Atlanta restaurant in 2015. Then after police arrived, they charged him with reckless conduct and marijuana possession.
In 2016, he was arrested on aggravated battery and drug possession charges in Georgia.
In February 2017, he was arrested again on misdemeanour battery charges in Miami after police said he punched a bouncer at a strip club. He received six months of probation and community service, according to online court records.
Speaking to Sky Sport News yesterday, Boucher said Rice isn’t the type of person he would have signed when with the Breakers.
‘‘I don’t know Glen Rice Jr from a bar of soap, I know his history and it’s a history you don’t
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want to get involved in,’’ Boucher said.
‘‘Can he ball on the court? Absolutely, so I think they’re at that stage in their season that if they don’t start putting some wins on the board now, the season can slowly slip away and waiting for Scotty Hopson to come back from injury may cost them four games.’’
Boucher said the former Washington Wizards player could impact on the culture inside the Breakers. ‘‘He’ll come in ready to contribute, but locker rooms are different kettle of fish, if he comes in and is a disruptive guy, then that can cause a lot of problems.’’