UCLA Women's Basketball Wins First NCAA Title Under Cori Close

Bruins dominate South Carolina to claim historic championship

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:35am

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UCLA women's basketball coach Cori Close led her senior-laden team to the program's first-ever NCAA championship, defeating South Carolina 79-51 in a historically dominant title game performance. The Bruins were led by standout performances from their veteran core, including 21 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists from senior Gabriela Jaquez, who was a key part of Close's highly touted 2022 recruiting class.

Why it matters

This championship represents the culmination of Close's long-term vision and investment in building UCLA into a national powerhouse. Despite the pressures of the modern era of college basketball, Close stayed true to her values and approach, developing her players both on and off the court. The title also solidifies UCLA as an elite program that can compete with the best in the country.

The details

UCLA led by as many as 28 points in the title game, dominating a South Carolina team that was on the verge of a dynasty. All five Bruins seniors scored in double figures, with Gabriela Jaquez putting up a monster stat line. Freshman sensation Kiki Rice, another key 2022 recruit, earned All-American honors and helped the team win the title. Star center Lauren Betts, a transfer from Stanford, also blossomed into a dominant two-way player under Close's guidance.

  • UCLA won the NCAA championship on April 6, 2026.
  • Cori Close has been the head coach of the UCLA women's basketball team since 2011.

The players

Cori Close

The longtime head coach of the UCLA women's basketball team, who has built the program into a national powerhouse and won the school's first NCAA title in 2026.

Gabriela Jaquez

A senior leader on the 2026 UCLA team, Jaquez was a key part of Close's highly touted 2022 recruiting class and put up a dominant performance in the national championship game.

Kiki Rice

A freshman standout on the 2026 UCLA team, Rice was a highly touted recruit who stayed committed to the program and earned All-American honors en route to the national title.

Lauren Betts

A transfer from Stanford, Betts blossomed into a dominant two-way player under Close's guidance, earning national Defensive Player of the Year honors and leading the team to the championship.

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What they’re saying

“She works so hard. She cares so much. She's done a lot of work herself to get us here, and she's had to do a lot of hard things as well. She's super busy, but she always prioritizes the care that she has for us as people. And I always appreciate that.”

— Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA Senior

“Coach Cori, she builds her programs differently than a lot of other coaches do. She truly cares about us on the court, but even more off the court. She invests in us as young women, and she supports us in ways that not a lot of coaches do.”

— Kiki Rice, UCLA Freshman

“She's been such a crucial part in my basketball career. I feel like she's really pushed me in all aspects of this, as a person, as a basketball player, and she's believed in me so much. She knows what I'm capable of.”

— Lauren Betts, UCLA Junior

What’s next

Cori Close and the UCLA Bruins will look to defend their national championship in the 2026-27 season, as they aim to cement their status as an elite program under Close's leadership.

The takeaway

Cori Close's patient, player-centric approach to building the UCLA women's basketball program has paid off with the school's first-ever NCAA title. In an era of player movement and NIL, Close's commitment to developing her players both on and off the court has created a culture of loyalty and success that culminated in this historic championship.