The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team etched a landmark achievement this season, finishing with a 37‑1 record and securing the national championship.
Coached by Cori Close, the Bruins combined veteran poise with fresh talent, culminating in a decisive victory that underscored their dominance in the sport.
Watkins' Road to Recovery
Star forward JuJu Watkins, the 2024‑25 AP Player of the Year and the nation’s top recruit in 2023, has been sidelined by an ACL injury but is expected to return for the next campaign.
USC's Young Guns
During Watkins’ absence the Trojans posted an 18‑14 record and were eliminated in the second round, yet true freshman Jazzy Davidson emerged as a leader, earning multiple honors.
Strategic Moves
USC’s head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has assembled the No. 1 recruiting class for the 2026‑27 season, while UCLA is rebuilding with a top‑five transfer portal class and expects rising sophomore Sienna Betts to anchor the new lineup.
Rivalry Renewed
Cori Close said she is excited about the renewed USC‑UCLA rivalry and the prospect of facing a fully healthy Watkins next year.