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Westwood Today
By the People, for the People
UCLA Women's Basketball Champions Visit Jimmy Kimmel
The NCAA title-winning team discusses their historic victory and future WNBA prospects.
Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:37pm
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The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team proudly displays their first NCAA championship trophy in nearly 50 years, a testament to their historic victory and the growing popularity of women's sports.Westwood TodayThe UCLA women's basketball team, fresh off winning their first NCAA National Championship in 48 years, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to talk about their 79-51 victory over South Carolina. The players, including Most Outstanding Player Lauren Betts, discussed the celebrations, their 31-game winning streak, and the upcoming WNBA draft where several team members are expected to be selected.
Why it matters
Women's basketball has seen a surge in popularity and viewership in recent years, and UCLA's championship win is a significant milestone that highlights the growth of the sport. The team's appearance on a major late-night talk show further raises the profile of women's athletics and the accomplishments of these student-athletes.
The details
The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team defeated South Carolina 79-51 in the NCAA championship game, marking their first national title since 1978. They had a 28-point lead, the third-largest margin of victory in a Division I women's championship final. Head coach Cori Close and players Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, and Angela Dugalić appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to discuss the win, their 31-game winning streak, and the upcoming WNBA draft where several team members are expected to be selected.
- The UCLA Bruins won the NCAA women's basketball championship on April 2, 2026.
- The team appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live on April 10, 2026, just over a week after their title victory.
The players
Lauren Betts
The UCLA Bruins' Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA championship game.
Kiki Rice
A standout player on the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team.
Gabriela Jaquez
A key member of the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team.
Angela Dugalić
A player on the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team.
Cori Close
The head coach of the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team.
What they’re saying
“We all really cared all season long about the one we just got.”
— Cori Close, Head Coach, UCLA Bruins Women's Basketball
“They will set a record for the most players ever drafted from one school and one class.”
— Cori Close, Head Coach, UCLA Bruins Women's Basketball
“It'll be fun to compete against each other if we end up on different teams.”
— UCLA Bruins Player
What’s next
Several members of the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team are expected to be selected in the upcoming WNBA draft, where they could potentially face off against each other if they end up on different professional teams.
The takeaway
The UCLA Bruins' historic NCAA women's basketball championship victory and subsequent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live highlights the growing popularity and recognition of women's sports. The team's success and the anticipated high number of WNBA draft picks from their roster demonstrate the rising profile of female athletes and the increased interest in women's basketball.
