From high school phenom to the first draft pick in Toronto Tempo history
In short: Before she was a WNBA star, Kiki Rice was a dual-sport powerhouse. A decorated high school recruit and NCAA national champion, her ascent from the Sidwell Friends School to the professional stage is a masterclass in sustained athletic excellence and historic milestones.
Kira Carroll 'Kiki' Rice's journey to the WNBA began with a dominant era at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. As a high school senior, she led her team to a perfect 28–0 record and the top national ranking from ESPN and MaxPreps. She received various prestigious awards, including Naismith Prep Player of the Year and Gatorade National Player of the Year. Beyond the court, Rice was an equally formidable soccer player, recording 42 goals and 12 assists during her freshman season.
Her transition to the collegiate level at UCLA was marked by immediate impact and historic financial milestones. In October 2022, Rice made history as the first college athlete to sign a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with the Jordan Brand. During her tenure with the Bruins, she reached the pinnacle of college basketball, helping the program secure its first national championship in the NCAA era in the 2025–26 season. Her individual performance earned her third-team All-American honors in 2026.
The culmination of her collegiate success arrived on April 13, 2026, when the Toronto Tempo selected her sixth overall in the WNBA draft. This selection was a landmark moment for the new franchise, as Rice became their first-ever draft pick. Her professional debut follows a decorated international career, including gold medals with the United States under-16, under-18, and under-19 national teams, as well as a victory at the FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Cup.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Kiki Rice
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