Winning championships certainly makes rebuilding a roster easier.
That’s how UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close felt shortly before the transfer portal opened on Monday, following her team’s first NCAA title victory.
After the championship win, she mentioned to her mom, “The transfer portal just got easier.” It’s a crucial moment as she’s anticipating five new transfers over the weekend. With the departure of the top six players via the WNBA Draft, it’s clear that a serious infusion of talent will be necessary.
Last season, players Lauren Betts, KiKi Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens, Angela Dugalic, and Charliss Ledger-Walker combined for impressive averages: 75.7 points, 32.9 rebounds, and 20.3 assists per game. Essentially, they contributed to a whopping 90.2% of the team’s points, 77.6% of rebounds, and 92.7% of assists.
Looking ahead, the team will welcome back players like forward Timea Gardiner, who was sidelined all season due to knee surgery, and forward Sienna Betts, a valuable reserve who returned in December after dealing with a foot injury. Both are expected to take starting positions next season.
Close mentioned that “Sienna continues to grow,” and praised her impressive basketball IQ.
Gardiner reflected on her past performance and expressed eagerness to rise to the challenge of keeping her spot among the elite players next season.
“The big pieces are leaving,” she noted. “It’ll be exciting to put the painting on the canvas for next year. It feels like a blank slate, so I’m eager to strengthen my bonds with the returning players and build on the culture established by this great senior group.”
Despite the losses, the returning talent pool is promising. Gardiner, Betts, and Amanda Muse have all achieved McDonald’s All-American status, while Lena Bilic proved her reliability by getting significant playing time during the championship game against South Carolina.
“Lena has shown great promise for the future,” Close noted last month. “She’s fearless on both offense and defense, and when she’s on the court, she’s not shy about taking her shots.”
During a Sweet 16 victory against Minnesota, fans caught a glimpse of what lies ahead for the Bruins. The lineup, featuring Sienna Betts, Muse, Bilic, and Christina Karamuzzi Siegel along with Ledger-Walker, hinted towards a bright future.
Close expressed that all returning players are committed to the team, considering how they can contribute today while also looking to grow for tomorrow. “It’s been tough managing this all year round, but the growth mindset they’ve chosen will definitely yield results,” she added.
Among those returning is Somuto Okafor, a promising 5-foot-9 point guard from Barcelona. Initially committed to Arizona, she re-evaluated her options post-coaching change. Her talent level is evident, as she caught the attention of South Carolina scouts, too.
Nevertheless, there’s a lot of groundwork left to ensure the roster is fully equipped.
Close and her team will need to navigate the balance between celebrating their recent triumph and securing players who will help them aim for another championship.
They made their way back to campus late Sunday night and have planned a celebration with fans at Pauley Pavilion on Wednesday. Admission is free, with doors opening at 5 p.m.
It’s a reason to celebrate, yet it serves as a reminder that the transfer portal will shut down on April 20th, putting pressure on the team to act quickly.
