The UCLA women's basketball program is entering a pivotal offseason after a mass exodus of its top six scorers to the WNBA, leaving a void that will be felt across next year's lineup.
Head coach Cori Close, who has guided the Bruins through a decade of growth, is now focusing on two parallel tracks: leveraging the transfer portal to plug immediate gaps and building a long‑term foundation with the 2027 recruiting class.
The departure of key contributors has forced the staff to look beyond internal development, prompting a strategic shift toward external additions that can provide both experience and upside.
Recruiting Battle for the Class of 2027
A central storyline involves the recruitment of power forward Eve Long, a top‑tier prospect who originally appeared to be a priority for UCLA but ultimately committed to Notre Dame, a move that reshapes the competitive landscape for the Bruins.
Nevertheless, UCLA remains in the hunt for two other elite talents: Nation Williams, a top‑15 power forward whose mother starred for the Bruins, and Kaleena Smith, the consensus No. 1 player in her class and a California native who has drawn interest from both UCLA and USC.
Williams brings a personal connection to Westwood, having grown up hearing stories of her mother’s All‑American exploits, while Smith arrives as a complete point guard whose junior season earned her the Gatorade Player of the Year award for California.
A New Era on the Horizon
The upcoming weeks will reveal whether the Bruins can translate these high‑profile pursuits into concrete commitments, a development that could signal a resurgence for a program that has long been a fixture in the national conversation.