Gabriela Jaquez’s Dual Mission: From Team Mexico to UCLA’s Final Four

Fresh off representing Mexico in FIBA World Cup qualifiers, UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez has pivoted to chasing NCAA immortality. The Bruins’ standout forward dropped a game-high 18 points in their Elite Eight triumph over LSU, propelling the program to its first-ever Women’s Final Four. Now, an even stiffer test awaits: a showdown with 11-time champion UConn in Tampa.

UCLA’s Record-Breaking Season

• 34-2 record (program-best wins)
• 23 consecutive victories to start 2024-25
• Avenged both regular-season losses to USC in the Big Ten title game
• Key contributors: Lauren Betts (Naismith Defensive POTY), Kiki Rice, and Jaquez

"We’re not done yet," Jaquez told ESPN. "More games to play, more teams to compete with."

The UConn Challenge & Jaquez’s Mindset

Facing Paige Bueckers and the Huskies, UCLA leans on Jaquez’s tournament-tested composure:

"I try to stay neutral—not too high, not too low. After a big play, we reset. The next team will make runs; that’s basketball."

A Basketball Legacy in Her Blood

• Family ties: Brother Jaime (Miami Heat), mother Angela (WNBA tryout, Concordia Hall of Famer)
• Historic potential: Gabriela could join Jaime as the first Mexican-heritage siblings in WNBA/NBA

What’s Next?

After the NCAA tournament, Jaquez will rejoin Team Mexico for the AmeriCup in Chile. But first:

Final Four Key Matchup (Friday, ESPN)

• 🏀 UCLA’s defense vs. UConn’s elite offense
• ⭐ Jaquez’s two-way impact (scoring + versatility)
• 🎯 Can the Bruins neutralize UConn’s championship pedigree?

"This run means everything," Jaquez said of UCLA’s breakthrough. "But we’re here to win it all."