The Toronto Tempo made history on Monday night, selecting point guard Kiki Rice out of UCLA with their sixth overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.<\/p>\n
Rice became the WNBA expansion team’s first-ever draft pick, and even though\u00a0she’s never been to Toronto<\/a>, the city is already welcoming her with open arms.<\/p>\n Basketball Hall of Famer and Toronto Raptors legend Vince Carter recorded a video message for\u00a0Rice, which she saw\u00a0moments after she was drafted, welcoming her to the city.<\/p>\n “Congratulations on being a part of history. You are about to do something special \u2014 not only for your family but for the city of Toronto,” said Carter. “You get to represent the Toronto Tempo. Everything you do will be celebrated and cherished. Go make your legacy.”<\/p>\n Heading into Monday’s draft, Rice was projected to be a top-five pick on several WNBA boards. With the Chicago Sky opting to select Rice’s collegiate teammate Gabriela Jaquez with the fifth overall pick, Rice slid down to sixth, allowing the Tempo to select a generational player with a second-to-none basketball IQ.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old from San Francisco was one of six players from the NCAA championship-winning UCLA squad selected in the first two rounds, a new WNBA record. She averaged 14.9 points per game on 49 per cent shooting in her final collegiate season.<\/p>\n We\u2019re excited to have YOU, @kiki_rice0<\/a>. \ud83e\ude75<\/p>\n Entry Draft presented by @turbotaxcanada<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/H8EDYU2DJS<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u2014 Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) April 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n