Fresh off its first national championship, UCLA women’s basketball is setting records in the WNBA.
The Bruins had five players selected in the first round of Monday’s WNBA Draft, the most ever by one school in a single draft. And they could end up with six players selected overall before the night is over.
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Two-time All-American and Final Four MOP Lauren Betts was the first Bruin off the board at No. 4 to the Washington Mystics. Betts’ selection started a run of three straight Bruins picks. Her UCLA teammate Angela Dugalić then joined her on the Mystics at No. 9.
No. 4: Lauren Betts, Washington Mystics
No. 5: Gabriela Jaquez, Chicago Sky
No. 6: Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo
No. 9: Angela Dugalić, Washington Mystics
No. 15 Gianna Keepkens, Connecticut Sun
Four teams previously had five total players selected in the same draft: 2023 South Carolina, 2019 Notre Dame and Tennessee twice (1999 and 2008).
UCLA has matched that in the first round and has a chance to claim that record on its own. Charlisse Leger-Walker is a prospect to be selected in the second round.
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That draft success arrives eight days after the Bruins won the NCAA championship. UCLA beat fellow No. 1 seed Texas, 51-44 in the national semifinal, then beat No. 1 seed South Carolina, 79-51 in last Sunday’s title game. The Bruins dominated both games to cap a 37-1 season.
UCLA and head coach Cori Close are obviously facing a significant rebuild after losing their entire core. But they have plenty to continue to celebrate from a historic season in Westwood.
