totalling only 147 minutes in the first 22 games. On February 4, Rice posted professional career highs of 35 points and 15 rebounds against Springfield Armor. The day before the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, he participated in the 2013 D-League Dream Factory Dunk Contest. On March 5, Rice posted 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists against the Iowa Energy. On March 6, he posted 29 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks against the Austin Toros. On March 10, he posted 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal against the Reno Bighorns. On March 11, Rice was named D-League Player of the Week after averaging 24.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in three victories that week. Following the regular season, Rice was named 2012–13 NBA D-League All-Rookie second team. Rice emerged as a starter and helped the Vipers win their final 16 consecutive games, including three consecutive D-League playoff series sweeps on the way the 2013 NBA D-League championship. Rice averaged 25 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals in the playoffs including averaging 29 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3.5 blocks in the D-League finals. Washington Wizards (2013–2015) As the D-League season wound down, Rice emerged as a sleeper draft choice for the 2013 NBA draft. His performances ended up helping him go from the possibility of being undrafted to being taken as early as the late first round. He was one of 60 players invited to the NBA Draft Combine. On June 27, 2013, Rice was selected with the 35th overall pick of the NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, but was traded to the Washington Wizards for the 38th and 54th selections, which turned out to be Nate Wolters and Arsalan Kazemi, respectively. He became the fourth player with D-League experience to be drafted and at 35th overall was the highest D-League veteran to have been drafted to that point. However, P. J. Hairston became the first D-League first-rounder when he was drafted 26th in the 2014 NBA draft to eclipse this record. On July 8, 2013, Rice signed with the Washington Wizards. In the 2013 NBA Summer League, he twice registered the Summer League Sprite Dunk of the Day (July 14 and 19). Rice made his professional debut in the Wizards' seventh game of the season on November 12, 2013, against the Dallas Mavericks, making his only