Cason Wallace, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard, and UCLA star Kiki Rice are drawing attention as one of basketball’s most notable young couples. Their story began in middle school, when they first met at the inaugural Jr. NBA World Championship in Orlando, a showcase that brought together top 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls from around the world.
Nearly a decade later, both have reached elite levels in the sport. Wallace is already an NBA champion, while Rice is two wins away from an NCAA title with top-seeded UCLA.
A relationship rooted in youth basketball
The pair’s connection goes back to the same global youth stage that helped introduce them to the game’s next level. That early meeting has since grown into a relationship that now spans college and professional basketball, with both athletes building resumes that reflect their early promise.
Their one-year dating anniversary is approaching, adding another milestone to a journey that has already included high-level success on the court. The timeline also highlights how rare it is for two players who met as middle schoolers to later become major names in men’s and women’s basketball.
Wallace follows UCLA’s run from afar
Wallace will not be in Phoenix for UCLA’s high-stakes matchup against Texas, but he remains closely invested in Rice’s postseason run. UCLA, the No. 1 seed, faces fellow No. 1 seed Texas at 8:30 p.m. Friday with a trip to the national title game on the line.
He spoke openly about enjoying the chance to watch athletes his own age succeed at the highest level. “I’ve been around a lot of them because we’re all the same age,” Wallace told The Oklahoman. “It’s fun seeing them do their thing, win and have fun out there on the court.”
Two careers moving in parallel
Wallace’s rise in the NBA and Rice’s breakthrough at UCLA put both players in a rare position among young basketball stars. Their paths show how early exposure, steady development and elite competition can shape long-term success.
- Wallace has already reached the NBA championship level with the Thunder.
- Rice has helped UCLA stay in contention for a national championship.
- Both first met as youth players at the Jr. NBA World Championship.
- Their relationship has continued as each advanced through different stages of basketball.
As UCLA prepares for one of its biggest games of the season, the spotlight on Rice also keeps Wallace connected to the college basketball picture. Their relationship reflects a modern basketball storyline in which elite prospects can grow up together, stay linked through demanding careers and continue following each other’s success from different stages of the sport.
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