How this UCLA women's basketball star carries on family legacy with Final Four appearance
Editor's note: Follow UConn vs. UCLA live updates from the Final Four.
TAMPA, Fla. — This isn’t uncharted territory for the Jaquez family.
When UCLA and UConn tip off in their Final Four matchup on Friday night, Gabriela Jaquez will join her brother, Jaime Jaquez Jr., as the second Jaquez sibling to play in the Final Four for the Bruins. Jaime was a key part of the UCLA team who went on a Cinderella run in 2021 before losing to Gonzaga on a half-court miracle in the Final Four.
After once sitting in the stands for that heartbreaker, Gabriela has now become a major contributor to a deep Bruins tournament run herself. She was instrumental in UCLA’s Elite Eight win over LSU, leading the team with 18 points and drilling a huge late 3-pointer.
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Postseason excellence is a family business. It’s what Jaquez lives for, actually. So much so that last season, she traded her sneakers for cleats and suited up for UCLA’s softball team as the Bruins made a College World Series run.
“I just love being part of a team,” Jaquez said. “I just love sports in general. There’s so many things that are special about sports, the people you meet and the opportunities you have. I would not be the person I am without sports.”
The team needed a pinch runner, and Jaquez, who once dreamed of being a college softball player, couldn’t pass up the opportunity to compete for a championship. After she joined the roster, the Bruins won their regional and super regional to advance to the College World Series.
“One of my great memories in the last few years is being at that softball game, and she was put in,” UCLA head coach Cori Close said. “And she got to round the bases to come home. The smile on her face, the joy she had rounding those bases was incredible and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to be her coach.”
Now, back in her main sport, Jaquez has her sights set on doing what her brother’s team couldn’t: Advancing to UCLA to the national championship game.
“It is a business trip, Jaquez said. “But I think I'm just trying to really take in the moment and understand that all this hard work got me to where I am, and I’m definitely not finished yet.”
UCLA vs. UConn: Date, time, TV channel, where to watch
- Date: Friday, April 4
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Fubo
Bo Underwood is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.