UCLA Faces Massive Rebuild After Historic NCAA Title Run

Cori Close and the Bruins must replace their top six players as the transfer portal opens.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:56pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a women's basketball game, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives capturing the dynamic nature of the sport.The transfer portal opens new possibilities for women's basketball programs to quickly rebuild and challenge the sport's traditional powers.Columbus Today

After winning their first NCAA championship with a dominant performance, the UCLA Bruins are facing a massive roster overhaul as their top six players graduate. Head coach Cori Close has said the school will be very active in the transfer portal, looking to add five new players to rebuild the team. Meanwhile, runner-up South Carolina and other Final Four participants like UConn and Texas will be among the favorites to win the 2027 national title.

Why it matters

The Bruins' historic title run has set them up for a challenging rebuild, as the transfer portal has become an increasingly important part of the women's basketball landscape. Teams like South Carolina, UConn, and Texas will be looking to capitalize on UCLA's losses and establish themselves as the new powers in the sport.

The details

UCLA routed South Carolina by 28 points to win their first NCAA championship and second overall. However, the Bruins are losing their top six players to graduation, leaving head coach Cori Close with a major rebuilding job. Close has said UCLA will be very active in the transfer portal, looking to add five new players to the roster. Meanwhile, the runner-up Gamecocks and other Final Four teams like UConn and Texas will be among the favorites to win the 2027 national title, as they look to replace key players who have departed for the WNBA.

  • UCLA won the NCAA championship in 2026.
  • The transfer portal is now open, allowing teams to add new players.

The players

Cori Close

The head coach of the UCLA Bruins, who led the team to their first NCAA championship in 2026.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who lost to UCLA in the 2026 NCAA championship game.

Joyce Edwards

A young star player for the South Carolina Gamecocks, who will be returning next season.

Agot Makeer

A young star player for the South Carolina Gamecocks, who will be returning next season.

Sarah Strong

One of the best players in the country, who plays for the UConn Huskies.

Madison Booker

One of the best players in the country, who plays for the Texas Longhorns.

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What they’re saying

“'Transfer portal just got easier.'”

— Cori Close, UCLA Head Coach

What’s next

The 2027 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four will be held in Columbus, Ohio, where the new powers in the sport will be determined.

The takeaway

The transfer portal has become a crucial part of women's basketball, allowing teams to quickly rebuild their rosters. While UCLA is facing a massive rebuild, other top programs like South Carolina, UConn, and Texas will be looking to capitalize and establish themselves as the new dominant forces in the sport.