Kiki Rice makes Tempo admission during 2026 WNBA Draft

Kiki Rice had an interesting admission to make as she begins her WNBA career with the incoming franchise Toronto Tempo.

Rice ended her collegiate career with a bang, helping the UCLA Bruins reach the mountaintop by beating South Carolina to win the national championship this year. She, alongside Lauren Betts, played pivotal roles in helping the feat come to fruition, gifting the program a title run they will never forget.

Rice took her talents to the pros, and the Tempo didn’t hesitate to select her with their first-ever pick in the WNBA Draft. The star guard had an interview on the ESPN broadcast, showing that going to Toronto presents an exciting chapter of her basketball career.

“Never been to Toronto, but I’m really excited to get there. My uncle’s Canadian. Have some family living there. I know it’s going to be a great time,” Rice said.

Kiki Rice on being drafted by the Toronto Tempo:

“Never been to Toronto, but I’m really excited to get there. My uncle’s Canadian. Have some family living there. I know it’s going to be a great time.”

https://t.co/jDTni2UBTm pic.twitter.com/hqoufjdBwm

— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) April 13, 2026

What lies ahead for Kiki Rice, Tempo

The Tempo are preparing for an exciting time in their first WNBA season as a franchise. Kiki Rice will look forward to making a strong impact as one of their key players.

Rice enjoyed a remarkable career throughout her four seasons with the UCLA Bruins. She boasted a full-time starting role, starting in all but three of her 143 games in college. Her efforts allowed her to earn multiple end-of-season awards in her career, winning Most Outstanding Player in the Big Ten Tournament this year.

Rice averaged 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Her senior campaign was amazing as she produced 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per contest. She did this throughout 38 games en route to the national championship.

The Tempo will look forward to their inaugural season in the WNBA. After two preseason matchups, they will be at home to host the Washington Mystics on May 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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