The Bruins shattered records as all five players heard their names called in Monday's opening round.
UCLA etched their name in WNBA Draft history Monday night, becoming the first program ever to place five players in the first round of a single draft. The championship-winning Bruins saw Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic, and Gianna Kneepkens all selected within the draft's opening 12 picks, cementing their dominance on basketball's biggest stage.
This unprecedented achievement showcases the global reach of women's basketball, with the quintet representing diverse backgrounds that reflect the sport's international appeal. The historic haul demonstrates how elite college programs are becoming launching pads for talent from across the world, mirroring the increasing globalization we see throughout basketball.
The record-breaking night caps off a phenomenal season for UCLA, who captured the national championship before watching their core group transition to professional ranks. For WNBA teams, landing these battle-tested champions represents an immediate injection of winning experience and chemistry built through college success.
This milestone moment highlights the growing strength and depth of women's basketball talent pipelines, as programs like UCLA continue developing players ready to make immediate impacts at the professional level. The five first-round selections signal a new era where championship programs can expect multiple players to earn premium draft positions.
