UCLA's Gabriela Jaquez Leads Bruins to National Championship Game

Younger sister of NBA player Jaime Jaquez Jr. has breakout season for UCLA women's basketball

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:22pm

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Gabriela Jaquez, the younger sister of Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., has led the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team to the National Championship game. Jaquez, a senior guard, has steadily improved throughout her four-year career, culminating in a career-best season in 2025-26 where she averaged 13.3 points per game. She is now projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming WNBA draft.

Why it matters

Gabriela Jaquez's success at UCLA continues the Jaquez family's legacy in Bruins basketball. While her brother Jaime played for the men's team, Gabriela has now led the women's team to the national title game, further cementing the family's place in UCLA hoops history.

The details

Jaquez has played in 144 games for UCLA over her four-year career, starting 78 of them. She set career highs in points per game (13.3), field goal percentage (52.8%), and three-point percentage (38.7%) this season, helping power the Bruins' run to the National Championship. Jaquez scored in double figures in all but seven games this year, including five of UCLA's six NCAA tournament contests.

  • Gabriela Jaquez has played for UCLA since the 2022-23 season.
  • In the 2025-26 season, Jaquez averaged a career-high 13.3 points per game.
  • Jaquez and the Bruins will play in the National Championship game on April 6, 2026.

The players

Gabriela Jaquez

A senior guard for the UCLA women's basketball team who has led the Bruins to the National Championship game in 2026.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Gabriela's older brother, who plays for the Miami Heat in the NBA. He took time off to support Gabriela and the Bruins in the Final Four.

Marcos Jaquez

Gabriela and Jaime's younger brother, who plays football at Ventura College.

Lauren Betts

A key member of the experienced UCLA team that reached the National Championship game.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Gabriela Jaquez and the UCLA Bruins will take on South Carolina in the 2026 National Championship game on April 6.

The takeaway

Gabriela Jaquez's breakout season has cemented the Jaquez family's legacy at UCLA, with both her and her brother Jaime playing prominent roles for the Bruins' basketball programs. Her success has also boosted her draft stock, as she is now projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming WNBA draft.