Kiki Rice: UCLA's Star in 2026 NCAA Championship

On April 5, 2026, college basketball fans across the country are locked in on one name: Kiki Rice. The UCLA senior guard is moments away from competing in the NCAA Women's National Championship game against South Carolina in Phoenix, Arizona — and the basketball world is watching to see if she can lead the Bruins to their first-ever national title. With a 36-1 record and a season full of personal reinvention, Rice's story is one of the most compelling narratives in college sports right now.

Kiki Rice and UCLA at the 2026 NCAA Women's National Championship

The stage is set: UCLA vs. South Carolina in the NCAA Women's National Championship, tipping off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern in Phoenix. The Bruins enter at a dominant 36-1, while the Gamecocks come in at 36-3. For UCLA, this is uncharted territory — the program has never won a national championship in women's basketball, and Kiki Rice stands at the center of that historic opportunity.

Rice punched UCLA's ticket to the final with a solid performance in the semifinal, scoring 11 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in a gritty 51-44 victory over Texas. It was a vintage Rice effort: efficient, composed, and impactful across multiple stat categories. As a second-ranked scorer, rebounder, assists leader, and steals leader all in one, she's the engine that drives this Bruins team.

For full game updates and highlights, follow live coverage of UCLA vs. South Carolina in the women's national championship.

A Season of Historic Dominance for UCLA

The 2025-26 UCLA season has been nothing short of remarkable. The Bruins went a perfect 22-0 in Big Ten regular-season play, won the Big Ten Tournament for the second consecutive year, and earned their first-ever No. 1 national ranking in program history. Their 36-1 record is also the most wins in UCLA women's basketball history.

This dominant run comes just one year after UCLA fell to UConn in the Final Four, finishing 34-3. The Bruins used that heartbreak as fuel. Head coach Cori Close built a team-first culture that maximized every player's potential — and no one benefited more from that culture than Kiki Rice, who used an offseason of adversity to become a better player than she had ever been before.

The Shoulder Surgery That Changed Everything

After UCLA's Final Four exit in April 2025, Kiki Rice went under the knife for shoulder surgery. The recovery was grueling — she was unable to use her right arm for four full months, a particularly daunting challenge for a player whose game depends on her burst, playmaking, and finishing ability.

But Rice refused to be defined by the setback. In a remarkable turn, she called the surgery "one of the best things I ever did." The time away from the court forced her to strengthen other parts of her game, improve her body mechanics, and return with a renewed mindset.

The numbers backed it up. In the 2025-26 season, Rice posted career highs across the board:

• 15.1 points per game (career high)
• 5.9 rebounds per game (career high)
• 1.5 steals per game (career high)
• 49.1% field goal percentage (career high)

She was rewarded with a third-team AP All-American selection, recognizing one of the best individual seasons of her career. Coach Close, aware of Rice's almost obsessive work ethic, had to actually ban her from extra workouts during rehabilitation to prevent overtraining. That detail alone speaks volumes about Rice's drive.

From Sidwell Friends to the National Stage

Kiki Rice's journey to this moment began in Bethesda, Maryland, where she grew up before attending Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. — a prestigious institution known for educating the children of political and cultural elites. On the basketball court, Rice was anything but a background player.

In 2022, she led Sidwell Friends to an undefeated season and a national high school championship, earning All-Met Player of the Year honors along the way. She was ranked the No. 2 recruit in the country coming out of high school, and UCLA won the recruiting battle to bring her to Westwood.

Now, four years later, the recruit who was supposed to transform UCLA women's basketball is on the cusp of delivering on every bit of that promise. Her journey from Sidwell Friends to the national championship stage is a story that resonates deeply in the D.C. area and beyond.

Kiki Rice's Remarkable Family Legacy

If Kiki Rice's on-court accomplishments weren't impressive enough, her family background is nothing short of extraordinary. Rice comes from one of the most accomplished families in American public life.

Her aunt is Susan Rice, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and National Security Advisor. Her grandparents are equally legendary:

• Emmett J. Rice — a Tuskegee Airman, World Bank economist, and member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors
• Lois Rice — widely known as the "mother of the Pell Grant" for her instrumental role in creating the federal student aid program

The athletic genes run deep as well. Her father John Rice and brother Teo Rice both played basketball at Yale University, while her mother Andrea Rice played tennis at Yale. Kiki is, in many ways, the athletic and intellectual heir to a dynasty of excellence — and she's carrying that legacy to the biggest stage in college basketball.

Off the court, Rice has also drawn attention for her personal life. She is reportedly dating Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace, adding another layer of star power to her public profile.

What to Watch for Against South Carolina

South Carolina enters the championship game at 36-3 and is one of the most decorated programs in women's college basketball. Led by head coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks are physical, disciplined, and experienced on the biggest stages. This will be a true test for UCLA and for Rice.

For UCLA to win its first national title, expect Rice to need to do several things well:

• Exploit mismatches — Her 49.1% shooting efficiency this season shows she's become a much smarter, more selective scorer. Against South Carolina's stout defense, shot selection will be critical.
• Control the pace — South Carolina likes to play a physical half-court game. Rice's ability to push tempo in transition and generate easy baskets could tilt the advantage toward UCLA.
• Make plays for others — Rice ranks second on the team in assists. Her ability to draw defenders and find open teammates will be key if South Carolina sends extra attention her way.
• Win the steal battle — Her 1.5 steals per game this season reflects her active hands and defensive instincts. Disrupting South Carolina's offensive rhythm could be a game-changer.

"She's one of the most complete players in college basketball. The surgery made her stronger, and now she's playing the best basketball of her career at exactly the right moment." — on Kiki Rice's 2025-26 season transformation

Frequently Asked Questions About Kiki Rice

Who is Kiki Rice?

Kiki Rice is a senior guard at UCLA who grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, and attended Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. She was the No. 2 recruit in the nation out of high school in 2022 and has become one of the most versatile players in college basketball, ranking second on UCLA in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals this season.

Is Kiki Rice playing in the 2026 NCAA Championship game?

Yes. Kiki Rice and the UCLA Bruins are playing in the NCAA Women's National Championship game on April 5, 2026, against South Carolina in Phoenix, Arizona. The game tips off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

What happened with Kiki Rice's shoulder surgery?

After UCLA's Final Four loss in April 2025, Rice underwent shoulder surgery and was unable to use her right arm for four months. Rather than set her back, the experience strengthened her game and mentality. She called it "one of the best things I ever did" and responded with career-high numbers in every major statistical category in 2025-26.

Who is Kiki Rice's family?

Kiki Rice comes from a highly accomplished family. Her aunt is former National Security Advisor Susan Rice. Her grandparents include Emmett J. Rice (a Tuskegee Airman and Federal Reserve member) and Lois Rice (the "mother of the Pell Grant"). Her father and brother played basketball at Yale, while her mother played tennis there.

What are Kiki Rice's stats in the 2025-26 season?

In 2025-26, Rice posted career highs with 15.1 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 1.5 steals per game, and a 49.1% field goal percentage. She was named a third-team AP All-American and ranks second on UCLA in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals.

Conclusion: A Legacy Being Written in Real Time

Kiki Rice entered UCLA as one of the most hyped recruits in women's college basketball. Four years later, after a shoulder surgery that would have broken a lesser competitor, she has grown into the leader of the most successful team in UCLA women's basketball history — standing 40 minutes away from the program's first-ever national championship.

Win or lose today, Rice's 2025-26 season is a masterclass in resilience, preparation, and rising to the moment. She carries with her the legacy of a family that has shaped American history in politics, economics, and civil rights — and now she has a chance to add a national championship banner to that legacy.

All eyes are on Phoenix. All eyes are on Kiki Rice.