Former Rutgers men’s basketball head coach and Patrick School head coach Mike Rice watches action during the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase boys basketball game between Christian Brothers and Manasquan at Robert Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ on Saturday, January 6, 2024. Rice is currently the Director of Hoop Group Headquarters.
In 2018, Drejaj’s former mentor, Phil Colicchio, left Linden after 21 seasons -- during which he won six state titles and amassed 449 wins with the Tigers -- and thenNJSIAA Group 4 state title over Lenape at Rutgers University. In recent years, Rice has served as Director of Hoop Group Headquarters and as a coach with Team Rio-NJ Shoreshots on the Under Armour summer circuit. He has worked with numerous future Division 1 and pro players, including former Ranney School stars Scottie Lewis and Bryan Antoine.