Lace, Rhinestones, and Chrome Nails: Prepare for the 2026 WNBA Draft with Kiki Rice.

      Twenty-two-year-old Kiki Rice, a native of San Francisco, has had a hectic couple of weeks. In March and early April, she participated in March Madness alongside her UCLA teammates and close friends, culminating in the Bruins winning their first NCAA women's basketball title and taking home a large trophy. After the victory—and three days of celebration—Rice, along with the other graduating seniors and head coach Cori Close, traveled to New York City for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live before joining the Good Morning America hosts a few days later. Most notably, on Monday night, Rice was drafted into the WNBA as the sixth overall pick by the Toronto Tempo, the newest team in the league. "The last 10 days have been incredibly busy," she shared with Who What Wear from a makeup chair, where she was preparing for the draft while surrounded by her family, boyfriend (Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Cason Wallace), and team members. "But this is something we've been eager for all season." Her dreams and those of her teammates came to fruition: a national championship and the opportunity to play in the WNBA, the highest level of women's basketball. All six players eligible for the draft from UCLA’s championship team were selected, with five being chosen in the first round—a record-breaking achievement.

      (Image credit: Ben Rosser/Courtesy of Coach) Kiki Rice is wearing a custom Coach set, including a jacket, shoes, and the Crystal Tabby Shoulder Bag ($695). Given the significance of the event, Rice decided to partner with Coach, the official handbag sponsor of the WNBA and supporter of the WNBA Draft Orange Carpet. The Coach team also styled Rice's teammates Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez, as well as the University of Connecticut’s star Azzi Fudd and South Carolina point guard Raven Johnson. They collaborated with styling duo Dani Charlton and Emma Rubenstein to create Rice's unique look, inspired by Looks 30 and 31 from the brand’s F/W 26 collection that debuted during New York Fashion Week. The outfit included a two-piece skirt set made from partially repurposed materials, a black bomber jacket, platform sandals, and the Crystal Tabby Shoulder Bag ($695). "When I started college, all of my teammates carried Coach bags," Rice reminisces. "That was the in thing. It was something I quickly embraced." Wearing custom Coach felt like a perfect way to close her chapter at UCLA. "Everything just came together beautifully," she noted. Continue reading to see our conversation with Rice and details about her look for the 2026 WNBA Draft.

      (Image credit: Ben Rosser/Courtesy of Coach) What have the last 10 days been like since you won the title? The last 10 days have been incredibly hectic. We've been busy with media appearances, events, and celebrations. It’s been such a rewarding experience to celebrate with the team and cherish this time together. We're also preparing for the WNBA Draft, something we’ve been anticipating all season.

      It’s special to be experiencing this with so many of your teammates and best friends. What has it been like to go through this journey together? It’s truly special. We have the chance tonight to set a record for the number of players drafted from one university, so for UCLA to achieve this and share these moments together—these are some of my closest friends, who will be like sisters for life—we're thrilled to see each other walk across the stage and fulfill our dreams.

      (Image credit: Ben Rosser/Courtesy of Coach) With March Madness, the draft, training camp, and the upcoming season, there’s a lot happening. How are you mentally preparing while also trying to enjoy the moment? I'm ensuring that I take the time to truly appreciate everything we’re experiencing because winning a national championship doesn’t happen often. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I want to savor it, not rush to the next thing, but instead be present and enjoy the moments with my teammates and family.

      (Image credit: Ben Rosser/Courtesy of Coach) Can you tell me a bit about your outfit for tonight? Tonight, I'm wearing a set from Coach, paired with a Coach jacket and bag. I think the jewelry adds the perfect finishing touches, highlighting the silver and black, which I really love. Everything feels like it comes together beautifully. How did you come up with the concept for your look, and are there any details that might not be immediately noticeable? The nails really completed the outfit nicely; they’re a gray chrome that matches my bag flawlessly. There are a lot of sparkles, adding a great pop to the look. I also think the fabrics are stunning. They’re subtle details, but the fabric on both the skirt and top contributed something lovely.

      (Image credit: Ben Rosser/Courtesy of Coach) Do you have any early memories of Coach? I wouldn't say early memories, but when I