Plenty of UCLA fans fully expect outgoing senior Lauren Betts to be drafted in the first round of this year's WNBA Draft, and for good reason. Betts' name has been near the top of many mock drafts for at least the last two seasons, if not longer — but she's not the only members of the Bruins' roster who is likely to get drafted (and to get drafted well).
Kiki Rice is expected to nearly immediately make an impact no matter what WNBA team she ends up on, the same as she has throughout her time with the Bruins. Rice has put in a performance that's been her best-ever with the program, and in many ways, the best is yet to come.
Before she can get to the WNBA, Rice has to focus on what's ahead of her in the moment: the second round of March Madness, which the Bruins are hosting. Rice is averaging 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and has a 50.4% shooting percentage — stats that made her a Big Ten All-Defensive Team and unanimous All-Big Ten First Team seletion this year.
Cori Close says Kiki Rice is doing what she does best
While speaking to reporters this weekend, the team's Coach Cori Close made it clear that Rice is performing the way she always has, in the best ways possible. That's the kind of focus and work the Bruins will need if they hope to avoid a repeat of their disastorous 2025 Final Four performance.
Close was asked a question about Rice's aggressiveness on the floor following UCLA's first-round win, and pointed out that it's really nothing new. "I think that's what she's been doing all year, one of the things I'm really proud of her about. Kiki is such a perfectionist, and I just want her to feel free to go for it," Close told reporters. "And she's been doing that all year long."
The coach also noted that Rice so far hasn't had any problems responding to pressure, and a program like UCLA definitely comes with plenty of that. She's been able to count on Rice to stay level and locked in, two leadership qualities that are important for any March Madness team (or any team at all).
Time will tell where Rice ends up and what teams draft her, but current predictions have her being drafted as high as the No. 5 overall spot. That would land her with the Chicago Sky, and could also result in back-to-back top-5 draft picks for UCLA if Betts lands at the No. 4 overall spot.