A Championship Mindset Returns to Irvine
UC Irvine announced this week that Zykera Rice will serve as an assistant coach for the Anteaters' women's basketball program beginning with the 2026‑27 season, bringing a blend of playing experience and professional success to the staff.
Rice's collegiate career at Gonzaga from 2015 to 2019 saw her captain the Bulldogs to a West Coast Conference championship and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, while earning first‑team All‑WCC honors in 2019 and second‑team recognition in 2018.
She graduated with a bachelor's degree in international studies and a master's in organizational leadership, then signed a training‑camp contract with the Seattle Storm before launching a professional career that took her to Finland and Luxembourg.
In Finland she led Peli‑Karhu to back‑to‑back league titles and three cup championships, capturing Finnish League Forward of the Year awards in 2020 and 2021 and being named Player of the Year in 2021.
A subsequent stint in Luxembourg with T‑71 Basket resulted in a 2023 regular‑season league crown and runs to both the cup and league finals, further cementing her reputation as a winner.
Most recently, Rice worked as a volunteer assistant at East Central Community College in Mississippi, where she focused on player development and recruiting, and also served as an assistant head coach with the Trailblazers Coalition, contributing to opponent analysis and skill development.
Head coach Inoue praised Rice's championship mindset and the unique perspective she brings, expressing confidence that her arrival will immediately elevate the program's competitiveness.