A Strategic Shift in Recruiting
The Bruins are charting a new course for the upcoming 2026‑27 campaign. After capturing the national championship last year, UCLA finds itself in a rebuilding phase, having seen six key contributors slip into the 2026 WNBA Draft. Yet the coaching staff has managed to retain five of those championship veterans, providing a solid foundation for the next chapter.
Adding to the mix, Slovenian guard Lina Jerkovic has officially signed with the program. Jerkovic arrives as the second freshman in the class, joining Spanish guard Somto Okafor. Both players bring international experience and a fresh perspective that the staff believes can accelerate the team's evolution.
Jerkovic's résumé includes a standout performance at the 2025 U18 FIBA Women’s Eurobasket, where she averaged 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and five assists across seven games for Slovenia. Her playmaking ability and scoring touch are expected to complement the returning core and the newly arrived freshman.
Head coach Cori Close has been vocal about how the landscape of college recruiting has been reshaped by name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities. In a recent interview, she explained that the traditional model of investing heavily in freshmen is now fraught with risk, as many of those athletes transfer out after a short stint.
Close likened the process of recruiting through the transfer portal to speed dating, emphasizing its efficiency and lower risk compared to the longer‑term commitment required for freshman prospects. This philosophy has guided UCLA to prioritize transfers who can contribute immediately while the program continues to develop its long‑term talent pipeline.
The blend of experienced returnees, promising newcomers like Jerkovic and Okafor, and a recruiting strategy that leans on the transfer portal suggests that UCLA is positioning itself to remain competitive while adapting to the evolving dynamics of college basketball.