The UCLA women’s basketball team has not yet received an invitation to the White House, but that could be coming awfully soon.
UCLA defeated South Carolina by 28 points in the national championship game on Sunday thanks to strong performances from its senior class. Gabriela Jaquez led the charge for the Bruins with 21 points and 10 rebounds, but Lauren Betts (14 points and 10 rebounds) and Gianna Kneepkens (15 points) also stepped up.
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“My dream was to be at UCLA,” Jaquez said. “It brought tears to my eyes when Coach Cori offered me. We were determined, the core group, to do something UCLA hadn’t done before in the NCAA era. That was important for us. We always believed. We always believed. Job is finished.”
Apr 5, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (left), center Lauren Betts (center) and guard Charlisse Leger-Walker pose after victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
(© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.)
UCLA coach Cori Close and her top players from this year’s team were on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” this Tuesday to discuss their incredible season. Although it’s not a huge surprise, Jimmy Kimmel slipped politics into the conversation.
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When asked if they’ve heard from the President Donald Trump, UCLA guard Kiki Rice simply responded, “We have not.”
Kimmel then handed the UCLA women’s basketball team a fake trophy and suggested they should bring it to the White House.
“He’s not going to know, but when you bring a trophy he sometimes takes it and keeps it for himself,” Kimmel said. “So this is for you guys to take to the White House and say, ‘President Trump, we want you to have this. He’ll be so happy.”
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UCLA will celebrate its championship this Wednesday.
In honor of the women’s basketball team’s first NCAA Championship, a celebration will be thrown at Pauley Pavilion this Wednesday. This party is set to begin at 6 p.m. PT.
“Fans will enter at the main entrance on the North side of Pauley Pavilion and will be seated in the North sections (Sections 122-108 will be open),” the press release from UCLA states. “Fans arriving early will receive an exclusive championship poster. There will also be an opportunity for fans to take photos with the team’s NCAA Regional and Championship trophies as well as sign the large NCAA Tournament bracket the team slapped with a sticker after each victory.”
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Congratulations to UCLA on an incredible 2025-26 season.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Apr 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Basketball section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
