Jordan Rice has been named the 2025-26 UIS Male Athlete of the Year after leading the Prairie Stars men's basketball team during a remarkable senior season. After being sidelined the previous year, Rice returned to post the highest-scoring season of his career, finishing with 485 points, 79 more than his previous best. He helped lead UIS back to the GLVC Tournament and cemented his place among the most accomplished players in program history.

Rice is the first student-athlete from the men's basketball program to win the award since Kyle Gupton in 2012-13.

A four-year standout for UIS, Rice finished his career ranked third on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,333 points and second in assists with 452. He also played more minutes than any player in program history, a reflection of his importance to the Prairie Stars throughout his career.

Rice saved some of his best basketball for his senior season. He led UIS in points, field goals, free throws, assists, steals, and minutes while earning First Team All-GLVC honors for the second time in his career. He led the conference in both assists and assist-to-turnover ratio, and ranked tenth in the league in scoring.

His impact extended beyond the stat sheet. Rice helped UIS reach the GLVC Tournament four times during his career, including as a member of the 2023-24 team that set the program's Division II-era record with 19 wins.

Rice's journey at UIS was marked by perseverance, leadership, and sustained excellence. He overcame challenges throughout his collegiate career to become a two-time First Team All-GLVC honoree, one of the most decorated players in program history, and the co-owner of the school's single-game scoring record after a 40-point performance against William Jewell in December of his senior year.

As the 2025-26 UIS Male Athlete of the Year, Rice joins a distinguished group of Prairie Stars recognized for excellence in competition and lasting impact on their programs. His commemorative poster will be displayed inside The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC) in 2026-27, honoring a career that helped define an era of UIS men's basketball.