UCLA Women's Team Leaves Sky Begging for Clues: A Study in Talent Over Uncertainty
The Chicago Sky, no strangers to scouting talent from top programs, found themselves at Northwestern's Evanston venue last weekend - not to watch a game but to get up close and personal with the nation's No. 2 team: UCLA.
Coach Cori Close's candor about WNBA front offices' uncertainty is both poignant and understandable, given the current collective bargaining impasse that has put league business on hold. "The thing WNBA presidents, GMs, and coaches have most in common," she quipped, "is their uncertainty." With negotiations stalled, timelines for free agency and expansion draft are up in the air, forcing teams to broaden their search for top prospects.
UCLA's roster reads like a Who's Who of WNBA-ready talent. The Bruins boast five players whose skill sets might just secure them first-round draft picks come 2026. Kiki Rice, Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens - each brings unique strengths to the table: the athletic, defensive-minded point guard; the 6-7 rim protector; the crafty wing with an uncanny ability to score in cuts; and the knockdown shooter.
The Sky's situation is a stark contrast. Operating from scarcity rather than surplus, they're not filtering for positional fit this offseason but rather aiming to raise their roster talent level. A No. 5 pick might help, even if it's uncertain whether top prospects like Betts will be available by the time the Sky hear their name called.
Jaquez and Rice stood out against Northwestern, with Jaquez embodying the modern offense's ethos: shooting well from deep but also moving the offense forward without needing plays called specifically for her. Rice, meanwhile, showcased a defensive prowess reminiscent of Veronica Burton, who was drafted No. 7 overall in 2022 and now is a WNBA All-Defensive selection.
Kneepkens rounds out the UCLA starting five with a career 44% three-point shooting percentage from 5.5 attempts per game. Her defense has improved significantly in the Big Ten under Close's guidance.
As UCLA players get ready to make the transition to WNBA training camp, they must weigh their pro futures and preferred destinations - but so far, neither seems concerned about the draft order or even being prepared for it. "Wherever opportunity comes," Jaquez said after the game, "we will like it." Kneepkens echoed a similar sentiment: "Any opportunity, I'm grateful."
For now, the Sky must content themselves with trying to decipher the puzzle that is UCLA's talent-filled roster - while their players remain blissfully focused on the present.
The Chicago Sky, no strangers to scouting talent from top programs, found themselves at Northwestern's Evanston venue last weekend - not to watch a game but to get up close and personal with the nation's No. 2 team: UCLA.
Coach Cori Close's candor about WNBA front offices' uncertainty is both poignant and understandable, given the current collective bargaining impasse that has put league business on hold. "The thing WNBA presidents, GMs, and coaches have most in common," she quipped, "is their uncertainty." With negotiations stalled, timelines for free agency and expansion draft are up in the air, forcing teams to broaden their search for top prospects.
UCLA's roster reads like a Who's Who of WNBA-ready talent. The Bruins boast five players whose skill sets might just secure them first-round draft picks come 2026. Kiki Rice, Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens - each brings unique strengths to the table: the athletic, defensive-minded point guard; the 6-7 rim protector; the crafty wing with an uncanny ability to score in cuts; and the knockdown shooter.
The Sky's situation is a stark contrast. Operating from scarcity rather than surplus, they're not filtering for positional fit this offseason but rather aiming to raise their roster talent level. A No. 5 pick might help, even if it's uncertain whether top prospects like Betts will be available by the time the Sky hear their name called.
Jaquez and Rice stood out against Northwestern, with Jaquez embodying the modern offense's ethos: shooting well from deep but also moving the offense forward without needing plays called specifically for her. Rice, meanwhile, showcased a defensive prowess reminiscent of Veronica Burton, who was drafted No. 7 overall in 2022 and now is a WNBA All-Defensive selection.
Kneepkens rounds out the UCLA starting five with a career 44% three-point shooting percentage from 5.5 attempts per game. Her defense has improved significantly in the Big Ten under Close's guidance.
As UCLA players get ready to make the transition to WNBA training camp, they must weigh their pro futures and preferred destinations - but so far, neither seems concerned about the draft order or even being prepared for it. "Wherever opportunity comes," Jaquez said after the game, "we will like it." Kneepkens echoed a similar sentiment: "Any opportunity, I'm grateful."
For now, the Sky must content themselves with trying to decipher the puzzle that is UCLA's talent-filled roster - while their players remain blissfully focused on the present.
. The Sky went to watch UCLA play just to get a better idea of what they need to do in the offseason, but it's like trying to read a recipe with missing ingredients 
. On one hand, you've got UCLA with all these super talented players who could be drafted high... on the other hand, the Sky needs to find those same players or at least someone to fill out their roster 
. It's kinda like they're stuck in a never-ending puzzle and not sure where to start 
.
It's not just about finding talent, it's about creating a plan with so much unknowns involved 
It's all about being adaptable and making the most out of what you've got 
They're stuck in limbo while all these talented young ladies are getting ready to take over the WNBA. I mean, can't they just sign someone already? 
But seriously, UCLA's got some amazing players and it's hard not to get excited about their potential.
And who knows what's going to happen with this collective bargaining thing? It's all so uncertain 
. I just hope they can find a way to snag that top prospect and turn their season around 
the sky might be feeling a little lost right now but i think it's kinda cool that they're being so open about scouting top talent from other teams... like, let's be real, who wouldn't want to build a roster with players like kiki rice and gabriela jaquez 
anyway, i feel bad for them because the whole free agency thing is causing so much uncertainty in the league... maybe they can just focus on building their own team from scratch? 
kiki rice is literally a defensive god 
what is her secret?! 
. It's like, can't we just have a clear draft order already?! 
. they need some magic if they wanna make it past ucla in the draft 
.