A Legendary Return
Noelle Quinn, a 41‑year‑old former point guard who helped the Seattle Storm capture two WNBA titles, is set to rejoin the UCLA women’s basketball program as a coach, ending a 17‑year stint in professional and grassroots basketball.
Quinn’s arrival comes just months after UCLA secured its first NCAA championship, a 79‑51 victory over South Carolina on April 5, 2023, under head coach Cori Close. Close, who guided the Bruins to that historic win, will now work alongside Quinn, a alumna whose 1,700‑point college career remains unmatched among Bruins.
The coaching staff will be bolstered by a mix of returning sophomores — Sienna Betts, Lena Bilic and Christina Karamouzi — and newcomers added through the transfer portal, including guards KK Bransford, Addy Brown and Bonnie Deas. International freshmen Somto Okafor from Spain and Lina Jerkovic from Serbia round out a diverse roster, while junior Elina Aarnisalo, who previously starred for UCLA before a stint at North Carolina, is set to return to campus.
Beyond the lineup, Quinn’s deep roots in Orange County and her experience coaching Breeze FC in the 3×3 women’s league Unrivaled add a unique perspective that Close believes will elevate the program’s competitiveness as it prepares for the upcoming season.