By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
Fresh off UCLA’s first national championship, a historic group of Bruins is already moving on to the next chapter—this time at the professional level.
Six UCLA players were selected in this year’s WNBA Draft, setting a new record for the most players chosen from a single program in one draft class. Even more impressive, five Bruins were taken in the first round, surpassing the previous mark of four set by UConn in 2002.
A Historic Run for UCLA
Center Lauren Betts led the way, going No. 4 overall to the Washington Mystics and becoming the first Bruin off the board. Betts kept things light after her selection.
“I’m not a Mystics fan,” she joked. “But I think they did really good with the draft, and they may have won overall.”
Gabriela Jaquez followed immediately at No. 5, landing with the Chicago Sky. Moments later, Kiki Rice made history as the Toronto Tempo’s first-ever draft pick, marking a milestone not just for UCLA, but for the expansion franchise.
Angela Dugalic became the fourth Bruin selected in the top 10, further cementing UCLA’s dominance in the draft’s early rounds.
Gianna Kneepkens closed out the first round for UCLA, heading to the Connecticut Sun and capping off a remarkable opening stretch for the program. She’ll be joined there by teammate Charisma Osborne—also known as Charlese Leger-Walker—who was selected No. 18 overall, making her the sixth and final Bruin taken.
Kneepkens reflected on the shared experience of going through the draft process alongside her teammates:
“It’s been incredible. I couldn’t have asked for a better situation. To see the work they’ve put in and watch them reach this moment—it’s amazing.”
Family, Legacy, and the Next Chapter
For Betts, the night was also about family. Surrounded by loved ones, she shared a lighthearted message for her younger sister, Sienna, who remains at UCLA.
“We don’t even go to the same school anymore, so you’re going to have to actually go shopping and buy some clothes for yourself—and please stop stealing mine,” she said, laughing.
The moment underscored both the personal and program-wide pride surrounding UCLA’s achievement.
League-Wide Headlines
While UCLA dominated the storyline, the top overall pick also drew attention. The Dallas Wings, holding the No. 1 selection for the second consecutive year, chose to reunite UConn stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd as they aim to return to championship contention.
Fudd is expected to earn a record-setting $500,000 in her rookie season, following a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the WNBPA. The deal raises the WNBA salary cap to $7 million in 2026, a significant jump from just over $1.5 million last season.
A Defining Moment for the Program
For UCLA, the night was about more than draft positions—it was a statement. A national title and a record-breaking draft class signal a program firing on all cylinders and producing talent ready to make an immediate impact at the next level.
As these six Bruins begin their professional journeys, they carry with them not just individual promise, but the legacy of a team that made history together.