The UCLA women's basketball team is a goldmine of WNBA talent, and the Chicago Sky front office knows it! Even a winter storm couldn't deter them from scouting the No. 2 ranked Bruins in Evanston last weekend. General Manager Jeff Pagliocca, Coach Tyler Marsh, and their staff were on hand at Northwestern, keeping a close eye on what's arguably the best team in the Big Ten.
The Bruins are absolutely brimming with players who are WNBA-ready, boasting a starting lineup where five players could realistically be selected in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft. Think of them as a one-stop shop for all your WNBA Draft needs!
Are you looking for an athletic, defense-first point guard with exceptional court vision? Kiki Rice is your answer, currently averaging an impressive 15 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.
Need a dominant 6-foot-7 rim protector who can swat shots with ease? Look no further than Lauren Betts, one of the select few college players invited to the recent Team USA tryouts.
Perhaps you're in need of a crafty wing player who excels at cutting to the basket? Gabriela Jaquez is a prime example, scoring at least 10 of her 19 points against Northwestern on cuts alone in their recent dominant win.
And for that clutch shooter you desperately need? Gianna Kneepkens, a fifth-year transfer from Utah, is your go-to player.
But here's where it gets interesting for WNBA teams: as UCLA's coach Cori Close shared with the Sun-Times, many WNBA front offices are grappling with uncertainty. This is largely due to ongoing collective-bargaining agreement negotiations that have stalled league business. Typically, free agency and the expansion draft would be in full swing by now, giving teams a clearer picture of their roster needs and draft priorities. Instead, timelines have been pushed back, prompting many teams to broaden their search for draft prospects. Fortunately for them, UCLA's abundance of talent makes this research considerably easier.
So, how is the Sky approaching this offseason, a season where they're operating from a position of scarcity rather than surplus after two challenging years? Their focus isn't just on filling positional gaps; it's about elevating the overall talent level of the roster.
The No. 5 pick in the upcoming draft could be a significant asset. While top prospects like Betts might be long gone by the time the Sky pick, there will still be plenty of excellent players available – including, of course, the remaining talent from UCLA's starting five.
Gabriela Jaquez, affectionately known by her teammates as “All Gas Gabs,” is a perfect fit for modern offenses. At 5-foot-11, she's a strong three-point shooter and adept at keeping the offense flowing. Against Northwestern, she repeatedly found openings in the defense, scoring effectively without needing plays specifically designed for her.
Kiki Rice also made a notable impression. Her defensive tenacity and ability to create turnovers were reminiscent of former Wildcats point guard Veronica Burton, who was the No. 7 overall pick in 2022 and is now a WNBA All-Defensive selection. Rice appears to be on a similar promising trajectory.
And then there's Gianna Kneepkens. With a career 44% three-point shooting percentage on 5.5 attempts per game, she was Utah's leading scorer before transferring to UCLA. While her defense was a point of concern entering the season, Coach Close has noted significant improvements on that end in Big Ten play.
There's a lot for the Sky to consider, especially since they've attended multiple UCLA games this season.
Even more is on the minds of the UCLA players themselves, who are on the cusp of transitioning from the excitement of March Madness directly into WNBA training camps. Their professional futures are rapidly approaching. Have they already Googled the draft order? Debated their ideal team landing spot?
Gabriela Jaquez, when asked about this, deflected with a smile, stating, “You can’t be asking these questions. Wherever opportunity comes, we will like it.”
Gianna Kneepkens echoed this sentiment, adding, “Any opportunity, I’m grateful.”
Jaquez further emphasized their current focus: “We’re focused on UCLA basketball right now.”
And that's the way it often works. Players get to stay in the moment, concentrating on their current team, while front offices are left to navigate the complex landscape of guesswork and projection.
Now, for a thought-provoking question: Do you believe focusing solely on the present, as the UCLA players are, is the best strategy for navigating the intense pressure of potential professional careers, or should they be more actively preparing for their future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
