The celebrations for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) women’s basketball program have extended far beyond the hardwood of the NCAA championship court. Barely a week after securing their first-ever national title, the Bruins have rewritten the history books again, this time at the 2026 WNBA draft.
In a dominant display of talent and recruitment, UCLA set two major benchmarks during Monday night’s draft in Novel York City. The program became the first in WNBA history to have five players selected in the first round and the first to have six players total chosen in a single draft. This historic haul cements the Bruins’ current era as one of the most impactful periods for any single institution in the history of women’s professional basketball.
The draft served as a crowning achievement for a season defined by unprecedented success. For the players, the transition from collegiate champions to professional athletes happened in a whirlwind of media appearances and high-profile celebrations. As Gabriela Jaquez noted, the experience has been a “special moment,” involving everything from appearances on “Good Morning America” and “Jimmy Kimmel” to celebrations at Pauley Pavilion.
A Record-Breaking First Round
The depth of the Bruins’ roster was on full display as five student-athletes were selected in the first round, surpassing the previous record of four picks set by UConn in 2002, according to UCLA Athletics. The run began with 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts, who was the first Bruin off the board, selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics.
The momentum continued immediately with Gabriela Jaquez being selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky. The historic streak reached a fever pitch with the sixth pick, as Kiki Rice was selected by the Toronto Tempo. Rice’s selection is particularly noteworthy as she becomes the first-ever draft pick in the history of the expansion Toronto Tempo franchise, as reported by ESPN.
The Bruins’ first-round presence didn’t end there. Angela Dugalić was selected ninth joining Betts in Washington with the Mystics. The historic first-round run was capped off by Gianna Kneepkens, who was the final selection of the first round, drafted by the Connecticut Sun.
The Full Draft Board: Six Bruins Selected
While the first round provided the headlines, the Bruins’ influence extended into the second round. Charlisse Leger-Walker, a guard from New Zealand, was selected 18th overall by the Connecticut Sun, joining Kneepkens in New England. This sixth selection officially broke the record for the most players from a single team picked in the same WNBA draft.
The distribution of the Bruins’ talent across the league is summarized below:
| Player | Pick Number | WNBA Team | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lauren Betts | 4 | Washington Mystics | 1st |
| Gabriela Jaquez | 5 | Chicago Sky | 1st |
| Kiki Rice | 6 | Toronto Tempo | 1st |
| Angela Dugalić | 9 | Washington Mystics | 1st |
| Gianna Kneepkens | Last Pick | Connecticut Sun | 1st |
| Charlisse Leger-Walker | 18 | Connecticut Sun | 2nd |
Strategic Recruitment and the Transfer Portal
The historic nature of this draft also highlights the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics and the strategic use of the transfer portal. Notably, Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker spent only a single season playing for the Bruins. Their selection in the top 20 picks serves as a testament to the program’s ability to integrate high-level talent quickly and prepare them for the professional leap.
According to analysis by The Athletic, the success of these one-season players acts as a powerful advertisement for head coach Cori Close and her staff. The ability to maintain a championship culture while successfully transitioning transfer players into the WNBA is a significant advantage for UCLA as they continue to recruit and manage their roster in the portal era.
A Growing League: The 2026 Context
The 2026 WNBA Draft was not only historic for UCLA but for the league as a whole. This year’s draft was the longest in WNBA history, reflecting a period of significant expansion and growth. The league now offers 15 rosters with 12 players each, along with up to two developmental player spots per team, providing more opportunities for rookies to secure professional contracts than in any previous year.
The increased roster capacity and the addition of expansion teams like the Toronto Tempo have created a more viable pathway for collegiate stars. For the UCLA cohort, this means they enter a league that is better compensated and more expansive than the one their predecessors joined.
Key Takeaways from the 2026 UCLA Draft Class
- Record-Breaking Volume: UCLA is the first program to produce five first-round picks and six total draftees in a single WNBA draft.
- Expansion Impact: Kiki Rice makes history as the first-ever pick for the Toronto Tempo.
- Professional Clusters: The Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun each secured two Bruins, while the Chicago Sky added Gabriela Jaquez.
- Recruitment Success: The selection of one-season players Leger-Walker and Kneepkens underscores the efficiency of Coach Cori Close’s transfer portal strategy.
As these six athletes move from the collegiate championships to professional courts, the eyes of the basketball world will be on how this historic group adapts to the WNBA. With the momentum of a national title behind them, the Bruins’ class of 2026 is poised to leave a lasting mark on the professional game.
The next confirmed checkpoint for these athletes will be the start of the WNBA training camps and the official unveiling of the full 2026 season schedule.
Do you think UCLA’s dominance in the draft will shift the power balance in the WNBA? Share your thoughts in the comments below.