The confetti has barely settled in Cleveland, but the echoes of UCLA’s triumphant run through the 2026 Women’s March Madness tournament are still reverberating across the basketball world. On April 5, 2026, the UCLA Bruins sealed an unforgettable season by defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks to claim their first NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship. For a program steeped in tradition but long starved for this particular glory, the victory was more than just a trophy—it was a statement. And at the heart of that statement? The meteoric rise of Gabriela Jaquez, a player whose performance has left scouts, coaches, and fans buzzing about her future in the WNBA.
Let’s set the stage: UCLA finished the year with a staggering 37-1 record, a testament to both their consistency and their ability to shine under pressure. But it was the national title game that truly showcased the Bruins’ poise—and Gabriela Jaquez’s star power. The 22-year-old guard/forward from Somis, California, poured in 21 points, snagged 10 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists, all while committing just a single turnover. Talk about rising to the occasion! Her stat line wasn’t just impressive—it was career-defining, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Jaquez’s journey to this moment has been marked by steady improvement and an unrelenting work ethic. Over her senior season, she averaged 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, shooting a blistering 52.8% from the field and 41.1% from beyond the arc. Those numbers, combined with her versatility and high basketball IQ, have propelled her up WNBA draft boards. According to projections from sources like The Athletic, NBC Sports, NBA Draft Room, and CBS Sports, Jaquez is a consensus Top 12 prospect for the 2026 WNBA Draft, with most mock drafts placing her anywhere from No. 6 to No. 15 overall. CBS Sports specifically projects her as the No. 12 pick to the Connecticut Sun, noting her reliability and adaptability on the wing.
But what makes Jaquez such a coveted prospect? It’s not just the stats or her championship pedigree. Scouts and analysts agree: her energy, leadership, and willingness to do the dirty work set her apart. As her brother, Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., told CBS Sports, "She'll be a perfect plug and play option in the pros. Her motor, willingness to do the dirty work and knack for coming up with hustle plays stands out." That kind of praise, especially from someone who’s made his own mark in the NBA, carries weight. Gabriela’s “grit” and vocal leadership were on full display throughout UCLA’s tournament run, and those intangible qualities are exactly what WNBA teams crave in a high-impact role player.
The 2026 WNBA Draft, scheduled for April 13, promises to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. The draft order, finalized just after the championship game, sees the Toronto Tempo picking sixth and the Portland Fire at seventh, thanks to a coin flip and a flurry of expansion-related trades. This year’s class is particularly deep, with UCLA and South Carolina projected to combine for eight first-round picks. That’s right—eight! It’s a testament to the sheer talent on display in the title game and to the strength of both programs.
Lauren Betts, Jaquez’s teammate at UCLA, is another name generating serious buzz. The 6-foot-7 center was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament and is projected as a top-five pick, likely landing with the Washington Mystics at No. 4. Betts’ rim protection and defensive mobility have scouts salivating, even as questions linger about how her offensive game will translate to the pro level. Kiki Rice, another Bruin, is pegged as the No. 5 pick to the Chicago Sky, bringing elite perimeter defense and playmaking to a team in need of a future point guard. And let’s not forget Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker, two more UCLA standouts expected to go in the first round. It’s a veritable blue-and-gold pipeline to the pros!
South Carolina, for their part, aren’t exactly slouches when it comes to draft talent. Raven Johnson is projected to go sixth overall to the Toronto Tempo, while Madina Okot and Ta'Niya Latson are also expected to hear their names called early. The Gamecocks’ ability to develop WNBA-ready players has become a hallmark of Dawn Staley’s tenure, and this year’s draft class only reinforces that reputation.
Beyond the first round, the draft is peppered with intriguing storylines. Janiah Barker, a forward from Tennessee whose college career ended in February with a suspension and a DNP due to illness, is projected as the 16th overall pick—first in the second round—to the Seattle Storm. CBS Sports’ Jack Maloney described Barker as "a clear first-round talent, but she just hasn’t shown enough consistency throughout her college career." Still, the Storm are willing to take a chance on her upside. Other notable second-round prospects include Marta Suarez, a Spanish forward who began her career at Tennessee before stints at Cal and TCU, and Justine Pissott, a sharpshooter who transferred from Tennessee to Vanderbilt. Both are expected to be selected in the second round, highlighting the diverse paths players take to reach the WNBA.
As the draft approaches, the big question isn’t just who will go where, but how these rookies will fit into their new teams. For Jaquez, the consensus is clear: she’s a “ready-made pro,” a perfect plug-and-play prospect who can make an immediate impact without needing to be the focal point. Her ability to elevate teammates, her relentless motor, and her championship experience make her a safe bet for any franchise looking to add a high-IQ, high-character player to its roster.
Of course, the draft is always full of surprises. Will a team trade up to snag a favorite prospect? Could a late riser leap into the lottery? And how will the influx of international talent—like France’s Nell Angloma and Spain’s Iyana Martín—shake up the order? One thing’s for certain: with so much talent on display, the 2026 WNBA Draft promises plenty of drama and excitement.
For now, though, UCLA can savor their hard-earned championship, and Gabriela Jaquez can bask—at least briefly—in the spotlight. With her combination of skill, leadership, and pedigree, it’s no exaggeration to say she’s poised to become the next WNBA superstar. The countdown to April 13 is on, and the basketball world will be watching closely to see where this Bruin—and her talented peers—land next.