IN PICS: UCLA's KiKi Rice, WNBA's Rhyne Howard and more "ball" in latest photoshoot for Michael Jordan's shoe brand

Atlanta Dream's Rhyne Howard and UCLA Bruins' KiKi Rice were featured in Michael Jordan's shoe brand's latest Instagram post. The photos promote the Jordan brand's "Heir" series of basketball shoes, the lowest-to-ground sneakers in the brand's history.

One of the foundation pillars of the product is that the design stems from insights by female athletes in the brand's roster. The Instagram post featured Rice donning Jordan gear from head to toe, detailed and action shots of the sneakers, and a group photo with Dearica Hamby, Kia Nurse, Jordin Canada, Howard, and more.

The caption read: "Play nice? Make friends? Nah. They’re here to ball. Jordan Heir Series. Built for HER game."

The "Heir" sneaker series is designed for all basketball players, regardless of position, as it leverages features that help optimize running, cutting, court feel, support, and control. The latest silhouette also has a herringbone traction pattern and a flexible cage. It is available globally in three colorways on the Jordan brand's website and select outlets.

Rice was the first college basketball player to sign a NIL deal with the six-time NBA champion's shoe brand in 2022. She also made history in 2024 when she became the first one to receive custom player edition sneakers (Air Jordan 38 Low Cherry Blossom). The design is inspired by her hometown (DC) and UCLA's themes.

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KiKi Rice and UCLA matched the record for the best season start

The UCLA Bruins improved to a 16-0 record on the season (5-0 in Big Ten) after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers (83-49) on the road on Tuesday. KiKi Rice posted an efficient 11 points on 71.4% shooting, leading the program to tie its all-time best season start.

The last time UCLA opened with a 16-0 winning run was in the 2019-20 season. The streak ended after the program fell to USC in a double overtime game (70-68) on Jan. 17, 2020. The group now has a shot to rewrite history with the contest against Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday.

While Lauren Betts leads the program in points (19.6 ppg), rebounds (9.8), and blocks (2.1), Rice has fully immersed herself in the point guard role. She is the Bruins' second-best player in scoring (13.0 ppg), assists (4.1 apg), and steals (1.5 spg). Moreover, 57.39% shooting is the best among guards in the Big Ten.