If you want to talk about players who are destined for greatness, you have to talk about UCLA point guard Kiki Rice.
According to Paul M. Banks, this woman isn’t just a phenomenal athlete; she is the continuation of a family legacy built on world-class achievement. The simple truth is, Rice is not just walking the path to stardom—she’s sprinting, and the entire landscape of women’s basketball is watching.
The Bloodline of Greatness
For Rice, success isn’t an aspiration; it’s a family tradition. Her connections alone are staggering. On the political front, her aunt is the renowned diplomat Susan Rice, who served the country as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and the National Security Advisor. Kiki has called her aunt one of the most important figures in her life and a role model for a strong, powerful woman.
On the hardwood side, the athletic pedigree is just as deep. Rice’s cousin is none other than two-time NBA All-Star Allan Houston. When Houston happened to pass through a facility where the Bruins were practicing, he took the time to speak to the team—a resource most players can only dream of. For Rice, having these incredible figures to lean on for support and advice is what makes her journey truly special.
An Unprecedented Talent
While the family tree is impressive, Rice’s own resume is what truly sets her apart. She didn’t just come to UCLA; she arrived as the highest-rated recruit in program history. In her graduating high school class, she was the undisputed top talent, sweeping national accolades including the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year, Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year, and Naismith Prep Player of the Year. We’re talking about an elite, generational talent.
Perhaps the clearest sign of her star power came in October 2022 when she became the first athlete in history to sign a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with the Jordan Brand. She’s already a consensus top-10 prospect in next year’s WNBA Draft and has four gold medals from her time with the U.S. National Team. She is, quite simply, a genuine winner.
Championship or Bust in Westwood
The expectations in Westwood, California, this season are clear: it’s national championship or bust. The #3 ranked Bruins are absolutely stacked, coming off a Final Four appearance and boasting an “overabundance of talent.” Just look at any WNBA mock draft, and you’ll see at least three or four Bruins projected to go in the first round—no other team comes close to that kind of depth.
Coach Cori Close often speaks about the principles of abundance versus scarcity. While there’s clearly no scarcity of talent, the challenge is always sharing that single basketball. Rice, however, has no doubt this team has the necessary synergy. She insists the team is full of “selfless players” and that their identity is built on wanting to see everyone else shine. With that level of buy-in, they expect to have an “easy time sharing the ball” as they march toward the title.
The New Era of Women’s Hoops
You can’t talk about high-level women’s basketball today without mentioning the surging popularity of the sport. Rice is well aware of the factors driving this new era, specifically giving credit to the biggest star in the game.
“Caitlin [Clark] has done so much to grow the game,” Rice stated, acknowledging that every player should be thankful for the attention Clark brought. “To bring more eyeballs to our game, because that’s what it’s about—expanding the game and kind of growing this platform.”
With the WNBA “skyrocketing,” Rice is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this boom. As she continues to perform and lead her stacked UCLA squad, she is cementing her status not just as the next big thing, but as a defining figure in the sport’s golden age. Rice isn’t just on the path to greatness—she’s already there.
