The UCLA Bruins have finally scaled the mountaintop. On April 5, 2026, in a dazzling display of dominance, the No. 1 seed Bruins captured their first-ever NCAA women’s basketball championship, overwhelming the perennial powerhouse South Carolina Gamecocks 79-51. This wasn’t just a win—it was a coronation, a statement, and an exclamation point on a season for the ages. The victory marked not only the Bruins’ inaugural national title in the NCAA era but also the third-largest margin of victory ever seen in a women’s Division I championship game. And at the heart of this historic moment? Senior guard Gabriela Jaquez, whose journey to this stage has been nothing short of remarkable.
From the opening tip, Jaquez set the tone. In just the first five minutes, she rattled off five points, snagged four rebounds, and dished out two assists, helping UCLA storm to a 13-4 lead—a lead they would never relinquish. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Jaquez had poured in a game-high 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting, grabbed 10 rebounds, and handed out five assists. Her performance placed her in elite company, as she became just the fifth woman in NCAA history to post at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a national championship game. According to ESPN, Jaquez’s historic stat line put her alongside legends like Breanna Stewart, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Dawn Staley herself.
Yet, as much as this was a team triumph, it was also a deeply personal victory for Jaquez. As a child, she dreamed of donning the blue and gold and winning a national title for the Bruins. “I pictured this moment many times, being a national champion; to do it with this group, it means everything,” Jaquez said after the game, her voice brimming with emotion. “To finish out my career with a national championship … Really. Does. Mean. Everything.” And when asked about her family’s legacy, she smiled and added, “Of course I have bragging rights. I’m a champion.”
Jaquez’s basketball pedigree runs deep. She is the younger sister of Miami Heat star Jaime Jaquez Jr., who led the UCLA men’s team to the Final Four in 2021 before making his mark in the NBA. Jaime was in the stands in Phoenix to watch his sister’s crowning moment, fresh off a 32-point performance for the Heat against the Washington Wizards. The Jaquez family’s athletic roots stretch even further: her parents, Angela and Jaime Jaquez Sr., both played basketball at Concordia University. Angela, in fact, was a conference Player of the Year and is a member of her university’s Hall of Fame. Her grandfather, Ezequiel Jaquez, was the son of Mexican migrants and a standout player in California and Arizona, laying the foundation for a family tradition steeped in grit, resilience, and love for the game.
That heritage is something Gabriela carries with pride. She is of Mexican descent and has become a symbol of inspiration for the Latino community in both the United States and Mexico. “My mom was a great basketball player; in fact, she was invited to the first season of the WNBA,” Jaquez told ESPN. “I’ve never seen her play, we can’t find videos of her games, but her friends tell me I play like her. It makes me laugh, because I never saw her in action, but I really appreciate the support she gives me in my career.”
Jaquez’s leadership and energy were infectious all season long. Her relentless effort—described by South Carolina coach Dawn Staley as simply “Relentless”—set the tone for a Bruins team that finished the year on a program-record 31-game winning streak, including a perfect 14-0 mark at Pauley Pavilion. Alongside Jaquez, center Lauren Betts was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, while Jaquez and college roommate Kiki Rice joined Betts on the all-tournament team. Together, they formed the nucleus of a squad that not only reached the Final Four for the first time last season but shattered the ceiling by winning it all this year.
The championship game itself was a masterclass. UCLA never trailed, and by halftime, the outcome felt all but decided. The Bruins’ defense stifled South Carolina, and their offense, orchestrated by Jaquez’s playmaking and Betts’s dominance inside, kept the Gamecocks off balance. By the time Jaquez subbed out for the final time—with just under three minutes remaining and UCLA up by 33—the celebration had already begun. The Bruins danced in the locker room, cut down the nets, and basked in the glow of a long-awaited title.
Jaquez’s impact wasn’t limited to the box score. Her leadership, both on and off the court, helped shape the culture of a program that had never before tasted NCAA championship glory. “This was the plan and we accomplished it,” Jaquez said, reflecting on the journey she began in third grade when she set her sights on UCLA. And as former UCLA star Jaime Jaquez Jr. quipped, Bruins fans might now be thinking of him as “Gabriela’s brother” instead of the other way around.
Her star power didn’t go unnoticed. WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark took to X to praise her performance: “Jaquez going crazy.” Even Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, a die-hard L.A. sports fan, chimed in: “Gotta love the Jaquez family! Go Bruins.” The accolades keep coming, and for good reason.
With her college career now complete, Jaquez’s journey is far from over. She joined UCLA’s softball team in 2024, showcasing her versatility as an athlete, and is projected by CBS Sports to be selected No. 12 overall in the upcoming WNBA Draft. In her final season, she averaged 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting nearly 54% from the field and earning All-Big Ten second team honors. She ranked among the top 20 nationally in multiple statistical categories, cementing her status as one of the game’s elite.
As the confetti settled and the celebrations continued, the significance of the moment was clear. The UCLA Bruins, led by Gabriela Jaquez and a cast of determined teammates, had done what no Bruins women’s team had done before. They etched their names into history, inspired a new generation, and reminded everyone that dreams—especially those nurtured since childhood—can come true with enough heart, hustle, and family support.
For UCLA, for Jaquez, and for the entire Bruin faithful, this championship is more than a trophy. It’s the culmination of years of effort, a testament to resilience, and a beacon for what’s possible. The job is finished, but the legacy is just beginning.