Toronto Tempo select Kiki Rice sixth overall in 2026 WNBA Draft

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The Toronto Tempo‘s first-ever WNBA Draft selection has been made.

UCLA’s Kiki Rice was taken sixth overall by Canada’s new WNBA franchise in the 2026 Draft on Monday.

Rice was the third consecutive UCLA player selected on Monday behind Lauren Betts (Washington Mystics) and Gabriela Jaquez (Chicago Sky).

“This is so special,” Rice told ESPN’s Holly Rowe moments after being drafted. “Everyone of us here deserves it so much and I’m just so proud of this group.”

The senior guard averaged 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals through 38 games and played a key role for the Bruins en route to a national title. She also shot career-bests across the board at 49 per cent from the field, 38.5 per cent from beyond the arc and 90.2 per cent at the foul line this season.

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“I take a ton of pride in just being the best teammate and figuring out how can I make everyone else better around me,” Rice explained. ” … Just really excited to get out there and get to work.”

The 22-year-old brings a decorated resume to the Tempo that includes a 2025-26 All-American selection, two All-Big Ten nods, 2025-26 Big Ten All-Defence and 2025-26 Big Ten tournament MVP.

Rice joins a Toronto roster still in its infancy stages, yet one that appears chock-full of dynamic guard talent. The Tempo added veteran guards Marina Mabrey and Julie Allemand through the expansion draft and then signed Brittney Sykes via free agency.

“Never been to Toronto, but I’m really excited to get there,” Rice said. ” … I know it’s going to be a great time.”

The Tempo entered the night with four picks to make, and after drafting Rice sixth-overall, they added forwards Teonni Key (No. 22) and Saffron Shiels (No. 26) in the second round and guard Charlise Dunn (No. 36) in the third round.