UCLA womens basketball embracing tougher

The UCLA girls’s basketball workforce received its first NCAA championship in April. Now, it’s vying to keep on top.

Based on Thursday’s observe, after which UCLA spoke with the media for the first time since its dominant title run, it’s clear that the Bruins intend to stay on top, even with a goal on their back and a revamped roster.

Success leaves clues

One would suppose a defending champion pursuing a repeat would, nicely, just strive to run it back.

But not Cori Close’s bunch.

Entering her sixteenth season as coach, Close is emphatic about the significance of course of over final result — or journey over vacation spot — and leaning into the wonder of the grind.

“We get to walk out and live out what we learn from the championship run,” Close said. “But we’re also not trying to repeat a championship outcome. We’re trying to repeat a championship process. And success leaves clues. There are things that we want to make sure we carry over from what we learn.

“But this is a new art project. This is a new identity. This is a new chance. The standards don’t change, but the way we go about it is going to be unique to this team, and that’s really fun to explore.”

The 98%

Part of the “championship process” Bruins followers can count on to hear about is the “98%.”

Close repeated it. Players repeated it. It’s a mentality Close needs the Bruins to keep in thoughts throughout the season.

“What I mean by that is 98% of the game is played without the ball,” Close explained. “Can you become a better screener? Can you learn someone else’s tendencies? Can you talk more on defense? Can you become a better rebounder? How many ways can we learn from each other and be better ‘98%’ players? And if we do that, we’ll be on our way.”

Possessing the ball — the two% — does matter. But gamers who can thrive without the ball will set up a workforce that, in Close’s eyes, might be tough to beat.

Sienna Betts’ position

UCLA ahead Sienna Betts, left, speaks to her older sister, UCLA middle Lauren Betts, before a recreation in December.

(Caroline Brehman / Associated Press)

Sienna Betts, the youthful sister of departed UCLA star Lauren Betts, is set to have a key position as a returning sophomore on a workforce with many new gamers.

“It’s going to be different,” Sienna said, referencing the Bruins dropping six gamers to the WNBA. “But I mean, I’m excited. And it’s not the first time I’ve been in a position like this; I mean, not at this level, obviously. So, I’m just excited to be in this new role. And I have coaches who are here to help me.

“I’m just planning on doing whatever Coach Cori needs from me, whatever the team needs.”

The 6-foot-4 ahead is primed to be the Bruins’ anchor in the paint. She demonstrated her management during Thursday’s observe as nicely as some bully ball inside.

Betts, who is left-handed, talked about her focus on right-handed taking pictures this offseason in getting ready for elevated touches. She averaged six factors and 4 rebounds over 28 video games as a freshman. Close said she is enhancing rapidly.

“The younger players have grown into new roles,” Close said. “I think you could see glimpses of that [with] how Sienna’s already started to do that, even maybe ahead of where I thought she’d be at this point.”

Elina Aarnisalo’s return

UCLA guard Elina Aarnisalo controls the ball in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA match.

(Young Kwak / Associated Press)

Elina Aarnisalo, who performed for UCLA as a freshman in 2024-25, is back in Westwood after spending her sophomore season with North Carolina.

The 5-10 guard averaged 5.1 factors, 3.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds as a freshman and noticed her scoring double (10.2) in Chapel Hill. Aarnisalo, a native of Finland, said she is more assured, not only as a participant but also as a communicator.

“There’s going to be a lot of spots on the team open now after a big draft class,” Aarnisalo said. “And a lot of seniors leaving, that obviously interested me too. Talking with Cori [about] what my role could be on this team and what we could accomplish this year … just knowing the standards at UCLA, how we practice, how they focus on individual work; I’ve seen it, and I’ve seen my old teammates [and] how they’ve succeeded in this environment, which is why I wanted to come back.”

Aarnisalo averaged 21 minutes per recreation as a freshman and 27 as a sophomore. She stands a good likelihood of receiving even more enjoying time.

New faces, same purpose

Former Texas Christian guard Donovyn Hunter is among the new gamers on the UCLA roster.

(Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)

The Bruins will look starkly different after primarily exchanging six WNBA-ready gamers for 5 attractive transfers.

Those newcomers are Texas Christian guard Donovyn Hunter, Iowa State ahead Addy Brown, Arkansas guard Bonnie Deas, Notre Dame guard KK Bransford and Aarnisalo.

“These girls are obviously really talented, come from really different programs,” Betts said. “It takes a second to adjust to Coach Cori’s rhythm, and her offense, and just how she runs practice and games. But I think they’re doing a great job integrating in, and they’re all just great human beings off the court and on the court. So, I’m really excited for this group.”

Close acknowledged she has been very busy. She had to retool the roster while concurrently celebrating the earlier one.

“I’m not complaining, but it has been a great challenge and an incredible, intense thing,” Close said. “I mean, literally, the minute after the UCLA women’s basketball embracing tougher standards in repeat bid game, we are on the phone with recruits from the locker room, and the next day, the transfer portal opens. So, I mean, this has been nonstop.”

UCLA’s first take a look at is north of the border

The Bruins will face Canada’s girls’s national workforce in an exhibition next Wednesday in Victoria, British Columbia.

While UCLA is way from a polished product, going through Canada’s best is, if something, a great alternative to gain even more publicity and improve workforce chemistry.

“We’re trying to get better. We’re trying to get more physical,” Aarnisalo said. “So we’re going to be in better shape when the actual game starts and the season starts. So it’s an everyday process.”

Timea Gardiner trending upward

Bruins ahead Timea Gardiner is anticipated to play in Canada after lacking last season as a medical redshirt because of a knee injury.

Gardiner, who transferred to UCLA in 2024 after two years at Oregon State, averaged 7.6 factors, 3.4 rebounds and 18 minutes per recreation in her first season with the Bruins.