“I’m so excited to share my first player edition shoe with Jordan Brand – the Air Jordan 38 Low “Cherry Blossom.” It’s an absolute honor to be the first Jordan Brand NIL athlete to receive a PE. Shout out to The District, my hometown!!” -Kiki Rice
Montgomery County, MD’s Kiki Rice, one of the most decorated players from the class of 2022, was the first ever Jordan brand NIL athlete, which allows college athletes to earn money off of their name, image, and likeness. The Bethesda resident stands at 5’11” and is now a sophomore at UCLA. Last week, she became the first Jordan-brand NIL athlete with a personal endorsement, when she announced her Air Jordan 38 Low shoes that display cherry blossoms on them.
“Growing up near DC, everyone always looked forward to the springtime when the cherry blossoms would bloom and you would be able to see all the incredible colors and the flowers and everything. I thought that would be a huge testament to DC, because that is something so unique to that area.” Rice said in a social media post announcing her shoes.
Though Rice lived in Bethesda, she attended school in DC, helping lead Sidwell Friends to an undefeated record and #1 ranking in the nation in 2022, winning the 2022 Naismith Girls’ High School Player of the Year. “My teammates and my coaches played a huge role in me getting this award,” Rice said in an article on the Sidwell Friends website. “It’s an individual award, but someone who isn’t on a great team and who isn’t being pushed every day is not going to win this award.”
Her father, John Rice, played basketball at Yale, her mother, Andrea Rice played tennis at Yale, and her cousin Allan Houston played basketball at the University of Tennessee and in the NBA for the New York Knicks.
I’m so excited to share my first player edition shoe with Jordan Brand – the Air Jordan 38 Low “Cherry Blossom.” It’s an absolute honor to be the first Jordan Brand NIL athlete to receive a PE. Shout out to The District, my hometown!! 🌸 🌸 🌸 pic.twitter.com/uRqUajiiuc
— Kiki Rice (@kiki_rice0) February 4, 2024
Recent Stories
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision with rollover on Sunday, May 19, in Bethesda. According to MCFRS Battalion Chief Jason Blake, the incident occurred…
Montgomery County Police responded to a shooting on Sunday, May 19, in Clarksburg.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision with entrapment on Sunday, May 19 in Fairland.
Olney’s Fair Hill Shops shopping center began its summer concert series on May 9th and will continue through September 26th. The concerts take place on the second and fourth Thursday…
FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival
Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.
Step into a world where the Caribbean spirit comes alive! From 12:00 PM onwards, immerse yourself in a sensory journey that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and music of the Caribbean. Whether you’re an African American, a Reggae or Soca music enthusiast, a wine lover, or part of the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, this festival promises to delight and captivate you in every way.
