By MATT SUGAM
Nearly three months after being fired by Rutgers after videotapes showed him being verbally and physically abusive toward players, and fresh off a a five-week stay at the John Lucas Wellness and Aftercare Program in Houston, Mike Rice is back on the practice floor in New Jersey.
The former Rutgers head coach was in attendance Tuesday at the Nike Skills Academy camp at Kean University, and while Yahoo! first reported that he was working in drills and practice situations, Rice told SNY.tv that was not the case.
“Just watching,” Rice told SNY.tv by text. “I did no work outs.”
The Skills Academy features many of the top college and high school big men and point guards in the nation.
Rice is not expected back at Wednesday, which is also Media Day.
This isn’t the first time Rice has made headlines for being around a basketball court since his firing.
Less than two weeks after the Rutgers fiasco unfolded, Rice was seen coaching his daughter’s AAU team. Reports surfaced that he was acting like a lunatic, however, those close to the team told SNY.tv that was not the case.
It’s also not his first step back towards coaching college age players as he was working with some players preparing for pre-NBA Draft workouts at Lucas’ gym.
Note: Yahoo! later said he was a “viewing guest of Jon Lucas.”
