Toronto Tempo rookie guard Kiki Rice has been recognized as part of the WNBA all-rookie team for the current season, as announced by the league on Wednesday. Throughout her inaugural season, Rice participated in 28 games, with 20 starts, and posted impressive averages of 13.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 0.8 steals per game in 27.1 minutes of play.
Among rookies, Rice ranked fourth in scoring, showcasing shooting percentages of 47.2% from the field, 35.1% from beyond the arc, and 86.9% from the free-throw line. She encountered a setback with a Grade 3 left ankle sprain in early June, causing her to miss close to two months of action. However, she made a strong comeback on July 28 and consistently scored in double digits in 12 out of her final 13 games.
Rice concluded the season on a high note by achieving a career-best performance of 28 points against the Connecticut Sun on September 24. This remarkable feat placed her among a select group of nine rookies in WNBA history to score at least 28 points without committing a turnover. Notably, Rice was the sixth overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft and marked the first draft selection in Tempo franchise history.
Monica Wright Rogers, the General Manager of the Tempo, expressed immense pride in Rice’s accomplishments during her debut season. She highlighted Rice’s talent, composure, and dedication as key factors in her success, emphasizing the significant role she plays in the team’s development and performance on the court.
For additional insights, you can watch Rice’s exceptional performance in a game against the Storm, where despite her standout effort, the Tempo faced a defeat with Seattle prevailing 90-78. In this game, Rice set a personal record by scoring 24 points.
