Virginia Tech had a disappointing announcement to make Wednesday.

Rodney Rice, a freshman guard and Virginia Tech’s top prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, will be out indefinitely following an injury sustained in practice. Rice finally made his season debut on Jan. 11 but was injured on Jan. 14 in practice and will need surgery.

“Virginia Tech freshman guard Rodney Rice is out indefinitely after breaking a finger in his right hand at the end of practice on Jan. 14,” the Hokies announced in a statement. “He is scheduled for surgery Friday and a timeline for his return has not been set.”

In Rice’s debut, he played 30 minutes off the bench in a loss to Syracuse but struggled shooting the ball in his first game action. Rice finished that game with 2 points, 4 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals while shooting 1-for-9 from the field.

Coming out of high school, Rice was a 4-star prospect and the No. 73 player in the country per the 247 Sports Composite. This is a disappointing setback for Rice and the Hokies, and we will have to wait to see when he can make a full return to the floor.