Toronto Tempo’s first draft pick is UCLA star and champion Kiki Rice

Big point guard has consistently improved, even though she was top player in her high school class.

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Published Apr 13, 2026  •  2 minute read

UCLA guard Kiki Rice poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected sixth overall by the Toronto Tempo in the first round of the WNBA basketball draft Monday, April 13, 2026, in New York. Photo by Pamela Smith /AP Photo

The Toronto Tempo went West with the first draft pick in franchise history.

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UCLA point guard Kiki Rice, fresh off leading the Bruins to the school’s first NCAA women’s title, fulfilling the promise that made her the highest-ranked recruit in that program’s history, now becomes one of the faces of another team with high expectations.

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The Tempo, who join the WNBA with the Portland Fire for this season, which starts in less than a month, opted for Rice with the sixth overall selection.

The 22-year-old San Francisco native was a high school and Team USA junior superstar, winning every high school player of the year award in 2022 and helping USA to four gold medals. At 5-foot-11, rice is a big guard who attacks the paint relentlessly (and hit 90% of her free throws this season). Her outside shot improved over her time at UCLA and if that continues, Rice will be tough to stop.

She scored 10 points, along with six rebounds, five assists and three steals in UCLA’s win over South Carolina for the championship and made the All-Tournament Team.

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Rice is also seen a a program builder, having set “a new standard for our program,” UCLA coach Cori Close told reporters before the season.

Rice’s cousin is former New York Knicks great Allan Houston and her aunt, Susan Rice, has been the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and the National Security Advisor. Rice also said on the broadcast of the draft that an uncle lives in Toronto and she has some relatives that are Canadian.

“Never been to Toronto, but really excited to get there,” Rice said.

The Tempo is building a formidable backcourt. The team previously signed guards Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey to two-year max contracts, and also signed Julie Allemand.

As a senior, Rice was named to the All-Big Ten First Team and All-Big Ten Defensive Team and the AP All-American Third Team.

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UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) celebrates after a play against South Carolina during the second half of the women’s National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. Photo by Rick Scuteri /AP Photo

Back in 1995, the expansion Toronto Raptors made Damon Stoudamire the first draft pick in franchise history, seventh overall. That turned out well, with Stoudamire becoming the first face of the franchise and the rookie of the year.

The Tempo hope they’ve found a gem at point guard too.

The team was also slated to pick 22nd and 26th later Monday.

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