Toronto Tempo point guard Kiki Rice is grabbing attention across the league with a performance that strengthens her case in the early Rookie of the Year race. The rookie guard just put together one of her most complete games of the year. 

The Tempo defeated the Seattle Storm 93-72 on May 30, 2026, and Rice was a key reason behind the win. The 2026 NCAA champion finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals.

The rookie also shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line. In the second half, she scored 13 of her 17 points. User @EJayArrow posted her brilliant night on X.

Rice created defensive pressure that resulted in steals to stop Seattle's momentum. On offense, she shot 4-of-8 from the field, pairing that with her flawless free-throw execution.

Toronto set a new WNBA record by making its first 31 consecutive free throws in this game. Rice contributed nine of those. 

HC Sandy Brondello has been giving her a lot of trust early in the season. She spoke highly of Rice after the game. 

"She’s even better than I thought she would be. She just loves a challenge, and she’s a true competitor. She’s a winner,"

It was Toronto's second win over Seattle this season, following an earlier 86-73 victory on May 13. Rice also played very well in that first game and scored 12 points. Performances like this are the reasons why her name continues to gain traction in Rookie of the Year discussions. 

The race for the top first-year player is competitive this summer, and the former UCLA player is putting up numbers that demand attention.

How Kiki Rice Stands Against Olivia Miles and the Rest of the Rookies

Olivia Miles remains the current favorite to take home the Rookie of the Year award. The Minnesota Lynx drafted Miles with the No. 2 overall pick.

She is currently averaging 15.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Her production and Minnesota's team success have made her the early frontrunner.

Rice was selected 6th overall by the Tempo. The guard is averaging 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and around 2.9 assists per game. She is also shooting nearly 55.9% from the field and 45% from three-point range. 

Miles remains the favorite across sportsbooks. However, Rice is considered a serious contender and consistently appears among the top five in rookie rankings. 

Many other rookies are also making noise in the race right now.

Flau’jae Johnson is averaging 12 points and 1.6 blocks for Seattle as a defender. Azzi Fudd is providing efficient scoring for Indiana with 12.6 points per game. 

Miles may hold the lead for the award right now, but Rice’s latest performance is making it difficult to ignore her candidacy. 

Do you think Kiki Rice can overtake Olivia Miles as the top competitor for the Rookie of the Year award? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Utsav Sinha

Edited by

Surjo Ray