Rico was a 1990 graduate of Sheffield High School and letterman in both track and basketball for the Bulldogs. He was outstanding on the hardwood as he led the squad in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore, averaging 13.4 ppg and 8.5 rpg. He followed that up with a junior season averaging 13.8 and 8.7 while being selected second team 4A All-Area. During Rico's senior season he led the Bulldogs in scoring averaging 18.6 ppg and 9.1 rpg and scored in double figures in 25 of 28 games. e was also selected to the 4A All-Area team and was the Times Daily 4A-6A Player of the year. 

​

After high school Rico received a scholarship to Shoals Community College where he led the team in scoring and rebounding for two consecutive years, led the junior colleges in the state in scoring at 26.2 ppg and was the Alabama Junior College Player of the Year in 1990-1991. He was also selected all Alabama NJCAA All-Division and All-Regional. He then went on to David Lipscomb University where he again led the team in scoring averaging 18.4 ppg and rebounding averaging 7.2 rpg along with being chosen team Co-Captain and MVP. Rico is now employed at Pearl-Cohn High School in Nashville where he is an assistant football coach, assistant basketball coach and Head Softball Coach.