UCLA Guard Kiki Rice Juggles Court Success, Recovery and a New NBA Romance

National title chase – Senior guard Kiki Rice entered the Final Four in Phoenix as the Bruins toppled Texas, drawing a foul in the closing seconds. Her poise helped UCLA secure a decisive win and advance to the championship game.

Healing and performance – After offseason shoulder surgery, Rice says the procedure was “one of the best things I ever did.” In the eight months since returning to the court, she posted career highs in points (15.1), rebounds (5.9) and shooting efficiency (49.1%).

Off‑court partnership – The 22‑year‑old point guard is now publicly linked to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace. The pair, who first met at the Jr. NBA World Championship as pre‑teens, attended the championship game together, with Wallace noting the close age of Rice’s teammates.

Family background – Rice’s athletic pedigree runs deep: both parents, John and Andrea, were collegiate athletes at Yale, and her aunt is former U.S. diplomat Susan Rice. The family traveled to the title game, underscoring the support surrounding her historic senior season.

Rice, a five‑star recruit who chose UCLA over elite programs such as UConn and Stanford, has become the highest‑ranked player in the school’s history. Her blend of on‑court leadership, recovered health and newfound romance has made her one of college basketball’s most compelling stories.