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Sidwell’s Kiki Rice, JWS Player of the Year, primed for basketball royalty

(Christian Jenkins/Just Women’s Sports)

The next queen of women’s basketball has yet to be crowned.

Whoever inherits the throne will lay claim to unprecedented riches — and responsibility. Between name, image and likeness (NIL) deals infusing cash into the college game and a $75 million investment from backers into the WNBA, the sport is closer to reaching mainstream popularity than ever before.

“Women’s basketball, in a good way, is going to probably go through some growing pains,” legendary Seattle Storm point guard Sue Bird said. “We’re going to start getting attention that we’re not used to getting. You’re going to probably have more cameras in your face.”

The queen will need to be someone who plays at a high level, but who also stays cool under pressure. Someone who understands the history and the potential of the game. Someone who will not be made by the crown, but who will make the crown themselves.

Someone like Kiki Rice.

Rice, the incoming UCLA point guard, is our inaugural JWS high school basketball Player of the Year, and not just because of her superlative on court-abilities — she’s averaging more than 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game entering the State Champions Invitational national tournament next month. The Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) senior, many believe, has the tools and the makeup to help shepherd the sport to the next level.

Central to her appeal is her deferential demeanor. Rice’s family moved from the Bay Area when she was young, and even today she’s more California chill than D.C. domineering.

“From day to day, what’s on my mind is not necessarily, oh, a ton of people are watching me, and I have high expectations,” Rice said. “It’s just about having fun and helping those around me have the same opportunities that I did.”

***

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(Christian Jenkins/Just Women's Sports)

It’s a little after 10 a.m. on March 12, and more than a foot of snow is decorating the Sidwell Friends campus. Rice is at the school for the JWS photoshoot, and though she’s the star of the show, she also assumes the role of photographer’s assistant, moving the light stand from station to station. Then she hurries back into position, waits for the flash, and smiles.

In between pictures, she hoists shots on the court where she’s become a local icon.

The basketball gym, which Rice will leave behind this year when she enrolls at UCLA, functions as something of a paean to her basketball power.

Pinned to the balcony overlooking the court is a white banner recognizing her gold medal with Team USA at the 2019 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. Another white banner, hanging against the baseline where Rice has swooshed so many jumpers, commemorates the Quakers’ 2022 D.C. State Athletic Association Championship. And in the locker room, printed on the whiteboard in red lettering, is an axiom that’s helped Rice guide Sidwell to heights few thought were possible: #SUCCESSNEVERRESTS.

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(Christian Jenkins/Just Women's Sports)

Before Rice, Sidwell was known more for the presence of Secret Service agents than Division I basketball scouts. Graduates include Barack Obama’s children, Sasha and Malia, Chelsea Clinton, Al Gore III and several of President Joe Biden’s grandchildren.

Rice’s family runs in similar circles; her aunt Susan was Obama’s national security adviser. So when it came to decide on her high school path, Rice felt most comfortable remaining at Sidwell, where she’d become a basketball sensation as a middle schooler, instead of running off to the more competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.

She lifted the Quakers program up with her.

“She laid the foundation for the quality of the kids and people we want in our program,” said Sidwell Friends coach Tamika Dudley, who took over the program ahead of Rice’s sophomore season. “We coach her hard, and she’s OK with that. And I think that sets the example for others.”

It was that work ethic that drew Alex McLean to Rice. McLean, the director of player development for the Washington Wizards, has also worked with UConn stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd. Rice, he said, has the ability to reach those same heights.

Over the past year, McLean has worked with Rice to improve her jumper from a bio-mechanical standpoint. Using the Noah shooting system, a machine that tracks shots from anywhere on the court and provides verbal feedback for shot arc and depth, McLean helped Rice become a dead-eye shooter.

“She’s always been known for her ball-handling. She’s super fast, super strong. The knock on her was her shooting,” McLean said. “Now she’s knocking stuff down left and right.”

Sidwell opponents, both local and national, witnessed that transformation firsthand. With Rice leading the way, the Quakers enter the State Champions Invitational, beginning April 8 in Tampa, with a 28-0 record.

What was once referred to by locals as the “Obama school” is now the “Kiki Rice school.” But Rice is looking to expand her reach even farther.

“I think if she can convey to the world who she truly is, which I think she will,” Dudley said, “she’s going to be a complete rock star.”

***

Every few nights, when she’s laying in bed with the lights off, Rice flicks her phone to “Do Not Disturb” mode and takes a few moments to reflect.

“It’s just me … thinking back on what’s happened to me, just how fortunate I am to be in the situation I am,” Rice said.

And then she’ll fall asleep, but not for too long. Rice often rises at 5 a.m. for workouts, whether with McLean, Wes Dunning, her strength and conditioning coach who’s helped her become a more physical player (Rice can deadlift almost 300 pounds), or her father John, who played basketball at Yale.

Back in the gym on March 12, right after the JWS shoot, it’s John’s turn for some face-time with the royalty-in-waiting. Rice ties up her hair and trades her Quakers jersey for some workout clothes.

The previous week, Rice had been named Naismith National Player of the Year. The following week, Bird would personally honor her as the Gatorade National Player of the Year. The awards, though, come secondary to the work. Now, it’s time to get up some shots.

The cameras have been stowed away, but Rice’s day is just beginning. Her hair bounces atop her head as she shuffles across the court. Her curls are dyed blond, but from a distance they almost look gold, a custom crown for the next queen of women’s basketball.

Josh Needelman is the High School Sports Editor at Just Women’s Sports. Follow him on Twitter @JoshNeedelman.

Chicago Sky Star Angel Reese Hits the Runway for Victoria’s Secret

WNBA star Angel Reese poses for press before the 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
WNBA star Angel Reese will become the first-ever pro athlete to walk the Victoria's Secret runway later this month. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is staying busy, announcing yet another high-profile partnership as she gears up to become the first-ever professional athlete to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show next week.

The WNBA star will take to the lingerie company's catwalk in New York on Tuesday, October 15th.

"Stepping into a dream: From Angel to a Victoria Secret ANGEL," Reese posted to Instagram on Thursday. "I'm finally getting my wings — I'll be walking the Victoria's Secret 2025 runway show for the first time, and it feels like destiny. Wings on, heels ready."

Hitting the runway is just the latest entry on Reese's growing resume, with the 23-year-old most recently stepping in as the new face of Juicy Couture and launching a signature shoe with Reebok while becoming the cover star of the WNBA edition of NBA 2K26.

Even more, she'll soon make her feature film debut, playing herself in a cameo in the upcoming political thriller A House of Dynamite, which drops on Netflix on October 24th.

But first, Reese will make Victoria's Secret Fashion Show history.

"Angel Reese, welcome to the runway," Victoria's Secret wrote in a promotional post on Thursday. "The first professional athlete angel... major is an understatement."

How to watch Angel Reese in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will air live on at 7 PM ET on Tuesday, October 15th on Prime.

USWNT Legends Alex Morgan, Mia Hamm to Host The Goal Cup Charity Soccer Match

Alex Morgan reacts during her San Diego Wave jersey retirement at a 2025 NWSL match.
Retired USWNT legends Alex Morgan and Mia Hamm will feature in January's The Goal Cup. (Meg McLaughlin/NWSL via Getty Images)

Two of women's soccer's biggest stars are teaming up, with retired USWNT icons Alex Morgan and Mia Hamm joining forces to launch The Goal Cup, a new celebrity charity soccer match benefitting both the Alex Morgan Foundation and the Mia Hamm Foundation.

Billed as "two star-studded teams...coming together to benefit [the two] foundations through a day of competition, entertainment, and community impact," The Goal Cup will see Hamm and Morgan captain the rival squads in an "LA vs. San Diego" showdown at USC Rawlinson Stadium in Los Angeles on January 17th, 2026.

The charity match will boost both Morgan's and Hamm's foundations — nonprofits that work to increase opportunities and access for women and girls in sports, among other core tenets.

"The Goal Cup is about celebrating the game we love while creating real impact for girls and women," Morgan said in a statement. "I'm proud to team up with Mia, to launch the SoCal rivalry, and ensure soccer continues to be a force for good beyond the field."

How to attend Hamm and Morgan's The Goal Cup

Pre-sale access to the January 17th charity match opens at 1 PM ET on Tuesday before tickets become available to the general public on Wednesday.

Fans can sign up for early access and pricing at The Goal Cup.

Sabalenka, Gauff Cruise to 2025 Wuhan Open Semifinals as Świątek Falls

Top-ranked tennis star Aryna Sabalenka preps her return during the 2025 Wuhan Open quarterfinals.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is two wins away from claiming a fourth straight title at the 2025 Wuhan Open. (WUHAN OPEN OFFICIAL 2025/VCG via Getty Images)

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is back like she never left, following up her brief post-US Open championship recovery break and booking a spot in the 2025 Wuhan Open semifinals by blowing past the tournament's competition with a straight-set victory over No. 9 Elena Rybakina on Friday morning.

With the last three Wuhan Open titles under her belt — 2018, 2019, and 2024 — Sabalenka extended her career tournament record to 20-0 on Friday, as she gears up to take on US star No. 6 Jessica Pegula in the semifinals early Saturday morning.

"Honestly, that's just crazy," Sabalenka said of her success at the WTA 1000 event. "I feel a really great connection with the Chinese fans, I guess. I feel like at home playing in this stadium."

Sabalenka and Pegula aren't the only big names advancing this week, as No. 3 Coco Gauff cruised past unseeded Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-0 to book her own semifinal appearance on Friday.

While the US star had little trouble dispelling her quarterfinals opponent, Polish phenom No. 2 Iga Świątek wasn't so lucky, falling to Italy's No. 8 Jasmine Paolini 6-1, 6-2 to set up a tight Saturday semifinals clash between Gauff and Paolini.

Sabalenka and Pegula's semi could also go the distance — Pegula is coming off six straight three-set matches dating back to the 2025 China Open, emerging victorious from five of them.

How to watch the 2025 Wuhan Open semifinals

Gauff and Paolini will kick off the 2025 Wuhan Open semifinals at 5 AM ET on Saturday, with Sabalenka taking on Pegula shortly after the first match.

The semifinal winners will then battle for the championship trophy on Sunday.

Live coverage of the semifinals and final will air on the Tennis Channel.

Racing Louisville Re-signs Emma Sears, Shoots for 2025 NWSL Playoffs

Racing Louisville forward Emma Sears warms up before a 2025 NWSL match.
Racing Louisville signed USWNT forward Emma Sears to a new contract this week. (Soobum Im/NWSL via Getty Images)

As No. 7 Racing Louisville zeroes in on a franchise-first berth to the NWSL Playoffs, the 2021 expansion team locked down a big part of their future on Thursday when they signed USWNT forward Emma Sears to a new contract through 2028.

"I'm so proud to be continuing my career with Racing Louisville FC — a club and city that have truly become home for me," Sears said in Thursday's team statement. "We've built something special here."

Drafted out of Ohio State by Louisville in 2024, Sears claimed the club's rookie scoring record with five goals last season before setting a new single-season scoring record for Racing this year, with the 24-year-old registering 10 goals so far in 2025.

"In her two years here in Louisville, Emma has quickly become a foundational player for this club, and she's only scratching the surface of her potential," said Racing GM Caitlyn Flores Milby.

With their star secured, Louisville's full focus is on climbing further above the postseason cutoff line, with Racing aiming to keep their current momentum going against the No. 14 Chicago Stars on Friday night.

Entering the weekend on a two-match winning streak, Louisville holds the edge over Chicago and the Stars' four-game winless run.

Even more, every point helps the narrow race to the 2025 NWSL Playoffs, as only four points separate Nos. 3 through 8 in the NWSL standings — with all but two postseason tickets still on the table.

How to watch Racing Louisville vs. the Chicago Stars on Friday

No. 7 Louisville will host No. 14 Chicago at 7:30 PM ET on Friday, with live coverage streaming on NWSL+.

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