UCLA's Cori Close Celebrates First Women's NCAA Title with Emotional Embrace of Mother

Bruins coach overwhelmed with joy after leading team to historic championship victory over South Carolina

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:39pm

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UCLA women's basketball coach Cori Close shared an emotional moment with her mother after leading the Bruins to their first-ever NCAA championship with a 79-51 victory over South Carolina. Close, who has been the head coach at UCLA since 2011, was overcome with joy as she embraced her mom on the court following the historic win.

Why it matters

Close's championship victory caps off a remarkable 15-year tenure as UCLA's head coach, during which she has transformed the program into a national powerhouse. The Bruins' title is their first since 1978 and marks a significant milestone for the school and the women's basketball community.

The details

UCLA dominated South Carolina from start to finish, led by tournament Most Outstanding Player Lauren Betts. The Bruins, in just their second year in the Big Ten, became the first conference team to win the women's national title since Purdue in 1999.

  • UCLA won the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship on April 5, 2026.
  • Cori Close has been the head coach of the UCLA women's basketball team since 2011.

The players

Cori Close

The head coach of the UCLA women's basketball team since 2011, who led the Bruins to their first-ever NCAA championship.

Lauren Betts

The UCLA center who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament after averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds in the Final Four.

South Carolina

The No. 1 seed that UCLA defeated 79-51 in the NCAA championship game.

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What they’re saying

“It's beyond my wildest dreams. It's been cool because of the people I've gotten to share it with. It's all about the heart.”

— Cori Close, UCLA Women's Basketball Head Coach

“This is meaningful because of the village that we get to share it with.”

— Cori Close, UCLA Women's Basketball Head Coach

What’s next

The UCLA women's basketball team will celebrate their historic championship victory with a parade and rally in Los Angeles on April 10, 2026.

The takeaway

Cori Close's emotional embrace with her mother after winning UCLA's first NCAA women's basketball title in nearly 50 years exemplifies the deep personal meaning and community pride behind the Bruins' championship triumph. This victory marks a significant milestone for the program and the broader women's basketball landscape.