On Jan. 26, Sidwell alumni and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) basketball players Kiki Rice ’22, Kendall Dudley ’24 and Zania Socka-Nguemen ’24 returned to the greater Washington area to play University of Maryland (UMD) Terps at College Park. UCLA won against UMD 82-67, securing their 23-1 record for the season so far.
The game was tight at halftime, with the Terps trailing by just two possessions at 39-34. The score difference stayed within single digits late in the third quarter, but the Bruins managed to pull away in the second half, and the score was 65-48 entering the final frame.
In January, the women’s team won 72-57 against Baylor University on Jan. 20 and won 84-66 against Rutgers University on Jan. 23 before playing Maryland.
The team is virtually undefeated in the Big 10 conference, with an overall record of 23-1, and is ranked number one in the women’s college basketball rankings. They have won all but the last game, winning the previous 19 games in a row by double figures.
Rice, a guard, started against Maryland and had 19 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds. Since graduating from Sidwell she has had a tremendous influence, finishing the 2023-2024 season with 430 points and the 2024-2025 season with 449.
On Feb. 3, Rice was among the top 10 finalists for the Nancy Lieberman Award, which annually recognizes the top point guard in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball.
While attending Sidwell, Rice was named Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year and Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year in the 2021-2022 season. Rice has also received Gatorade District of Columbia Player of the Year for both basketball and soccer.
In a conversation with Rice, she stated how she was “excited to be back playing at home.” She also commented on how Sidwell helped prepare her academically before attending UCLA in 2022.
Rice added how she was “confident coming into college” because of Sidwell, and was ready to continue her education and play basketball in college.
Head coach of Sidwell’s girls’ varsity basketball team, Tamika Dudley, coached the three alums playing on the current UCLA women’s basketball team.
Now in her fifth year, Dudley has quickly become a decorated coach, having been named Independent School League (ISL) coach of the year twice and DCSAA coach of the year three times.
During the 2021-2022 season, Coach Dudley led the Quakers to a historic 30-0 record, never seen in the history of the girl’s basketball team until then.
Coach Dudley expressed pride for the alums returning to the region, which includes her own daughter, Kendall Dudley.
When asked about what methods she utilizes to help prepare her athletes for college, basketball, and life after high school, Coach Dudley stated that both current and past players need to “watch film and make sacrifices” for the team and their teammates. The players’ dedication was shown on the court during the UCLA vs. Maryland matchup.
After successful basketball seasons in high school, Dudley and Socka-Nguemen were able to reconnect while playing for UCLA. Both alums won the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) championship in 2023. Aside from winning a DCSAA championship, Dudley and Socka-Nguemen were both named McDonald’s All-Americans in 2024.
Delaney Hughes, a junior on the current Sidwell girl’s varsity basketball team, was able to play with Dudley and Socka-Nguemen.
Hughes said that Dudley “gave 110% percent effort to the team and encouraged me through hard moments.” Socka-Nguemen “competed during practice and set the work ethic standards for our team,” she added.
Dudley and Socka-Nguemen were great leaders to the Sidwell team and helped set a good example for other players looking up to them. Having Rice, Dudley, and Socka-Nguemen representing Sidwell when playing UCLA Women’s Basketball brought the Sidwell students a sense of pride. Many family, friends, Sidwell teachers and students were excited to see these athletes return to the area to compete.
The Sidwell Chamber Chorus and Sidwell Girls Varsity Basketball Team were both present at the game, with the chorus singing the national anthem on live television at halftime. Upper School Principal Robert Gross attended the game with his family. Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer and Governor Wes More were also in the audience.
The fans, UCLA and Maryland alike, showed their ongoing support by staying well after the game to cheer on and meet the alums.
UCLA wraps up its 2024-2025 regular season on March 1, against ranked rival USC, with March Madness beginning on March 28.
