Five UCLA Women's Basketball Players Invited to WNBA Draft

Bruins set to make history with potential record-breaking draft class

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:40pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented women's basketball game, with the players' figures and the court broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color.The WNBA Draft will be a culmination of the UCLA women's basketball team's championship season, as five Bruins prepare to take the next step in their professional careers.Los Angeles Today

Five UCLA women's basketball players have received invitations to attend the 2026 WNBA Draft next Monday, April 13, at The Shed in New York City. The group includes Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalić, Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, and Gianna Kneepkens. The Bruins could potentially set a new record for most first-round draft picks from a single program in a single year.

Why it matters

The WNBA Draft is a major milestone for college basketball players, and UCLA's strong representation highlights the program's success and the talent of its players. A record-breaking draft class would cement the Bruins' status as an elite women's basketball powerhouse and provide a boost to the WNBA's visibility and future.

The details

The 15 players invited to the draft include some of the top prospects in the country, such as UConn's Azzi Fudd and TCU's Olivia Miles. UCLA's Betts, the Most Outstanding Player of the national championship game, is widely projected to be the first Bruin taken off the board. The Bruins' six seniors have all had first-round projections in recent weeks, and there's a chance some could end up on the same WNBA team, with the Washington Mystics and Seattle Storm holding multiple first-round picks.

  • The WNBA Draft will take place on Monday, April 13, 2026.
  • The Bruins won the national championship just eight days prior to the draft.

The players

Lauren Betts

UCLA center and two-time All-American who set the Bruins' all-time shot blocking record in just three years. She was named the Big Ten player and defensive player of the year.

Angela Dugalić

UCLA forward who is one of the five Bruins invited to the WNBA Draft.

Kiki Rice

UCLA guard who, along with teammate Lauren Betts, made a celebratory appearance at a local Raising Cane's restaurant.

Gabriela Jaquez

UCLA guard who had a standout performance in the national championship game, capping off a string of seven consecutive basketball seasons for the Jaquez family at UCLA.

Gianna Kneepkens

UCLA guard who is one of the five Bruins invited to the WNBA Draft.

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What they’re saying

“The fact that I got to end the whole Jaquez family legacy at UCLA with a national championship, I mean, you can't even write a better story than that.”

— Gabriela Jaquez

“I'm just taking it day by day. It's crazy, it's crazy.”

— Lauren Betts

“Looking to see if I can make a team there and continue my pro career.”

— Charlisse Leger-Walker

What’s next

The WNBA Draft will take place on Monday, April 13, 2026, where the five UCLA players will find out which professional teams they will be joining for the league's 30th season, which begins on May 8.

The takeaway

UCLA's strong representation in the 2026 WNBA Draft, with the potential to set a new record for most first-round picks from a single program, solidifies the Bruins' status as an elite women's basketball powerhouse and provides a boost to the WNBA's visibility and future.