LOS ANGELES — UCLA women’s basketball accomplished its mission by winning the NCAA national championship in 2026.
The Bruins set several standards with a program-record 37 wins, an 18-0 record in Big Ten Conference play, and as the first college team ever to have four players chosen within the first 10 picks of the WNBA draft.
UCLA coach Cori Close alluded to past seasons and pursuing the standard that helped the Bruins meet unprecedented success in 2026. But that also, for Close, means allowing the current team to “build its own house.”
“Picture it being a house in a cul-de-sac in a neighborhood with past teams,” Close said. “They face each other. We are on this plot of land, and I want this team to feel the freedom to build it their way with their own architecture but with the same standards. There’s this balance of success leaves clues, but the standard is the standard.”
Meet the 2026-27 UCLA squad, whose roster includes key returners, transfer portal additions and transfers from overseas. Returning sophomore guard Lena Bilic is out for the season after tearing her ACL in early October.
Who’s gone
Lauren Betts: The 6-foot-7 center was a pillar two-time All-American, Final Four Most Outstanding Player, 2025 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year in 2026 and two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year before being selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics.
Kiki Rice: The 5-foot-11 point guard was a three-time All-American and Big Ten Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2026 before getting selected sixth overall to the Toronto Tempo.
Gabriela Jaquez: The 6-foot guard averaged 13.5 points per game and shot 53.9% from the floor, 39% from 3-point range and 82.6% from the free-throw line before being selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky.
Angela Dugalic: Quality over quantity for the 6-foot-4 forward, whose scoring and defense allowed UCLA’s second unit to flourish. Dugalic averaged 9.0 points per game and shot 50% percent from the floor before being selected as the ninth overall pick by the Washington Mystics.
Gianna Kneepkens: The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 12.8 points per game and shot 93.3% from the free-throw line in her one year for UCLA. She was drafted 15th overall by the Connecticut Sun.
Charlisse Leger-Walker: The 5-foot-10 guard was a key role player for UCLA, averaging 8.4 points and 5.6 assists per game before being selected 18th overall by the Connecticut Sun in 2026.
Who’s back
Sienna Betts: The 6-foot-4 younger sister of Lauren Betts takes the mantle as one of the key starters for UCLA after posting 6.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 52.3% from the floor as a freshman last season.
Timea Gardiner: The 6-foot-3 forward redshirted last season while recovering from a torn ACL. Gardiner averaged 7.6 points per game and shot 39.5% from 3-point range in 2024-25. The fifth-year senior’s ability as a perimeter shooter is expected to fill gaps left by Jaquez, Kneepkens, Leger-Walker and Dugalic.
Amanda Muse: The 6-foot-4 senior center shot 54.8% from the floor and logged 9.2 minutes per game in 2025-26.
Christina Karamouzi: The 5-foot-11 Swedish national should see her role expand after making 26 appearances as a freshman in 2025-26.
Who’s new
Elina Aarnisalo: The 5-foot-10 junior guard returns to UCLA from North Carolina as a more polished player after she averaged 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 40.4% from the floor.
KK Bransford: The 5-foot-11 fifth-year senior was a team captain at Notre Dame and averaged 7.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game and shot 47.3% from the floor in helping the Fighting Irish reach the Elite Eight in 2026.
Donovyn Hunter: The 6-foot transfer guard from TCU averaged 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game and shot 45.7% from the floor while making 38 starts as a junior for the Horned Frogs in 2025-26. She was also voted to the All-Big 12 Defensive team.
Addy Brown: The 6-foot-2 senior forward averaged 11.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game at Iowa State. Brown brings experience as a scorer and quality passer out of the paint.
Bonnie Deas: The 5-foot-9 sophomore guard from Australia averaged 10.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game for Arkansas and gives UCLA depth as a perimeter defender.
Somto Okafor: The 5-foot-9 freshman guard arrives from Spain and has shown improved confidence and understanding of UCLA’s offense. Okafor averaged 15.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket U/18 Tournament.
Lina Jerkovic: The 5-foot-9 freshman gives UCLA ample depth at point guard. The Slovenian national averaged 8.6 points, 5.4 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game during the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket U/20 Tournament.