Sept. 13, 2026, 7:51 a.m. PT<\/p>\n
UCLA Bruins<\/a>\u00a0women’s basketball alumna Kiki Rice is thriving during her rookie campaign in the WNBA after capturing the NCAA title earlier this year with UCLA.<\/p>\n The Toronto point guard has become a foundational piece for the Tempo during its inaugural season. Due to the ongoing FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany, a majority of the W took a midseason break, which gave Rice a chance to reset and reevaluate entering the home stretch of the season.<\/p>\n “Maybe against L.A. when we played the Sparks (in May). We played two games in a weekend and that’s when I really felt like, OK, the skills that I have in this game and in my bag are going to be really transferable to this league,” Rice\u00a0told the media<\/a>\u00a0on Thursday about the moment of realization that she belonged in the W. “I think it’s just about getting comfortable out there and being confident. Even from talking to the other rookies I know, I feel like so much of your success is based off the situation that you’re in and the opportunities that you get early on.<\/p>\n “When I really started to feel good out there, I was playing confident and not worried about making mistakes. There were a few moments where I’m like OK, I can be a really good player in this league.”<\/p>\n Toronto returns to action at 4:30 p.m. PST, Friday at home against\u00a0Caitlin Clark<\/a>\u00a0and the Indiana Fever.<\/p>\n Contact\/Follow us\u00a0@UCLAWire<\/a>\u00a0on X and like our page on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of UCLA news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0& X:\u00a0@Shaun_Holkko<\/a>.<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a>