Before becoming a star at UCLA, Gabriella Jaquez cherished moments watching her older brother Jaime play basketball for the Bruins alongside their parents.
Yet, I didn’t always join him on the ride from Camarillo to Pauley Pavilion—only when he asked for help with homework.
That seemed like a missed opportunity.
Jaime hit a game-winning 3-pointer against Arizona State during his freshman year, which really cemented their family’s legacy in a place known for great college basketball.
“After that game,” Gabriella shared, “I knew I had to do everything possible to join him.”
It’s unfortunate that I didn’t catch more of what the Jaquez brothers achieved during their time at UCLA—seven years filled with remarkable moments, some of which overlapped.
Jaime, a sophomore known for his relentless playing style—he often chased after loose balls—was pivotal in UCLA’s journey to the Final Four. As a senior, he earned the title of Pac-12 Player of the Year on a team that might have snagged a national championship if not for injuries to key players.
Gabriella, having stepped out of her brother’s shadow, has carved out her own impressive path on the women’s team. She contributed to last season’s Final Four journey and stands poised to help the Bruins snag their first NCAA title this spring.
As the Jaquez siblings became fan favorites at UCLA, Gabriella knows that Sunday’s final home game of the regular season against Wisconsin marks a significant end for her family and the wider basketball community.
“It really brings me to tears,” said her father, Jaime Jaquez. “I can’t believe it’s happening so fast.”
UCLA Basketball’s First Family
This week, Jaime and Angela were hurrying to Gabriella’s game.
The journey from home to Pauley Pavilion should only take about an hour—half the time it usually takes navigating through heavy traffic.
Surprisingly, Jaime has only missed one home game during his children’s time at UCLA, and that was only because he was unwell during last weekend’s game against Indiana. Their son was able to catch that game due to the NBA All-Star break, and he sat courtside with his mother.
Just days later, Angela and Jaime were accompanied by Jaime’s sister, Petula Rodriguez, among the many family members who’ve attended games over the years. When they found their seats seven rows from the court, Gabriella made her entrance, looking up, beaming, and waving at them.
When she was introduced as a starter before the game against Washington, Angela couldn’t contain her excitement—standing up, covering her mouth, and screaming.
Her parents cheered not just for Gabriella, but for each impressive play by the team. Jaime had a habit of smacking his head every time the Bruins let a shot clock violation slip by. Meanwhile, Angela encouraged the players with a supportive wave when they approached the free throw line.
Gabriella, filled with energy, heard her father’s shouts of “Post!” as she maneuvered in the paint, raising her arms for the ball. She received a pass and scored, prompting cheers from her family.
After an intense game where they clinched a piece of the Big Ten title with a 82-67 win, the family gathered with friends to discuss postgame dinner plans.
About 15 minutes later, they sat outside at Fat Sal’s—a popular sandwich spot on campus—enjoying the jack asada fries, a staple linked to Gabriella’s NIL deal, topped with grilled steak and mozzarella, among other things.
As talk moved from Gabriella’s outfit choice for a dance performance to her WNBA prospects, they were momentarily distracted by lowriders parading down Gary Avenue.
These small, joyful moments are what the Jaquez family will miss the most.
“Of course, the highlights—like that winning shot or making it to the Final Four—are amazing memories,” Angela reflected. “But I cherish the everyday experiences. Just dressing up, driving here, taking pictures, and going out afterward.”
Loyalty in the Era of the Transfer Portal
Some may view the Jaquez brothers’ journey as a story of loyalty, especially considering the current landscape shaped by the transfer portal. What are the odds that two talented athletes would stick to the same school for four years?
“It’s quite remarkable, really,” noted UCLA men’s basketball coach Mick Cronin.
According to Cronin, Jaime Jr. declined a lucrative $1 million NIL offer before his senior year, choosing instead to remain with UCLA for $44,000. When Jaime and his teammate Tiger Campbell filmed a commercial, they shared the proceeds with teammates who weren’t receiving much.
The Jaquez family feels fortunate to have this experience.
“Honestly, my kids were never going anywhere,” said Jaime, the father. “To us, the grass isn’t greener elsewhere. In my book, nothing beats UCLA and Pauley Pavilion.”
Gabriella has tried to avoid dwelling on the end of her time at UCLA because it’s a bit sad, but she’s looking forward to possibly playing more games at home—a couple in the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament with the top-seeded Bruins.
In the lead-up to Jaime Jr.’s last game at home, his father shared a heartfelt hug with Cronin, lifting him slightly off the court in a moment of emotion. He chuckled when mentioning he’d behave himself on Sunday.
“I’ll keep it together,” Jaime joked.
For a team eyeing a national championship, these tears might not be the last.
“I hope they’re tears of joy in the end, if you catch my drift,” Jaime remarked.
