This past season was marked by both triumphs and moments of doubt for the UCLA women’s basketball team, and now they aim to showcase these experiences to a broader audience.
Their journey is captured in the upcoming documentary “You See LA,” which is set to debut on Sunday night on FS1. The film features an emotional scene where the team grapples with their loss against their chief rival in a locker room setting.
Coach Cori Close shared insights with the California Post about this documentary, which represents the team’s first effort after advancing to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four last season. “There are moments that are honest, vulnerable, and tough,” she noted.
Reflecting on the ups and downs of the past year, Close mentioned the significance of a certain postseason defeat. “After the loss to USC in the regular season championship, the audience is taken into the locker room, where the atmosphere is particularly challenging. I want everyone to understand that this is a brave and sincere piece of work,” she continued.
Despite facing hurdles, the team, which boasted a record of 34-3, found joy in overcoming a previous setback by defeating USC in the Big Ten Tournament championship.
Close’s connection to the project grew through her friendship with Kelsey Trainor, one of the executive producers involved, who previously worked on “Welcome to Wrexham.” Close was inspired by the sense of community and humanity portrayed in that documentary.
“I realized this is the type of storytelling that really resonates with me,” Close expressed. “We want to steer clear of anything mundane or typical in our documentary.”
Along with game highlights, the film also provides a glimpse into the players’ lives outside of basketball, revealing more profound aspects of their personalities.
“We want our players to feel seen for who they genuinely are,” Close emphasized. “The storytelling should reflect the complexity and amazing qualities of these women.”
She believes that gaining national exposure could aid in recruitment efforts. “We’re aiming to convey that our authenticity is real, and we’re invested in our players as individuals,” Close remarked. “I think this documentary exemplifies what we share during recruitment, and I hope it resonates with viewers.”
The team plans to have a private screening of the film this Friday, perhaps at Close’s home, providing players an early glimpse before its FS1 airing on Sunday at 5 p.m. PT, following their matchup against USC.
Yet, not every moment is easy to revisit. After losing to USC for a second time, which handed the Trojans the Big Ten title, guard Gabriela Jaquez pushed her teammates to reflect, commit, and strive for victory for the rest of the season.
Following that challenge, UCLA went on to secure seven consecutive wins before falling to UConn in the national semifinals, an outcome that Close described as disappointing.
“It makes you want more,” she admitted, reflecting on the emotional toll of the season. “I had to come to terms with that, which was quite tough. Watching it felt like reliving past trauma, you know?”
Looking ahead, there could be more ahead for the Bruins. A film crew has been following the team this season as they pursue their first NCAA Championship since winning the AIAW title in 1978.
“We hope to explore a second season with a more uplifting conclusion,” Close shared.
