"Just over a month ago and just about 10 miles away, Rice's blue-and-yellow nails grasped the NCAA championship trophy in celebration at Pauley Pavilion. That's when she was starring for UCLA and leading the Bruins to their first NCAA national title during her fourth college season. She was one of six Bruins to be selected in the WNBA draft on April 14, with all of them sticking to notoriously difficult-to-crack WNBA rosters. Rice was the expansion Toronto Tempo's first college pick."
"In her first two WNBA games, Rice has averaged 7.7 points and 1.3 assists in 20 minutes per game. She has been coming off of the bench to back up starting point guard Julie Allemand, who the Tempo took from the Sparks in the expansion draft. "There's definitely a lot of adjustments and getting used to what it is like inside this level," Rice said on Friday. "But I'm with great vets, really great coaches, and I'm really enjoying the play as a pro.""
"The No. 6 pick in this year's WNBA draft, Rice elevated her stock as a prospect by having her best UCLA season. She finished her senior season averaging 14.9 points per game with 5.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists, and was named the Big Ten tournament MVP. Ahead of the NCAA tournament, WNBA scouts said that her defensive prowess and willingness to charge to the b"
Kiki Rice, a UCLA standout, was selected No. 6 by the Toronto Tempo as the franchise’s first college draft pick. She transitioned from celebrating an NCAA national title at Pauley Pavilion to playing her first WNBA games. Rice has appeared in two games, averaging 7.7 points and 1.3 assists in 20 minutes per game while coming off the bench. She serves as a backup point guard behind starting point guard Julie Allemand, whom Toronto acquired in the expansion draft. Rice described the need for adjustments to the pro level and credited experienced teammates and coaching. Her draft stock rose after a strong senior season with 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, plus Big Ten tournament MVP honors.
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