UCLA makes WNBA history with six draft selections

UCLA Bruins guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) smiles with her teammates after a defensive stop during their 79-51 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks to claim the NCAA women's basketball national championship at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 5, 2026. NEW YORK - The Bruins just can't seem to stop making history. A little over a week after UCLA women's basketball won the program's first-ever national championship in the NCAA era, all six of UCLA's seniors travelled to New York City for the 2026 WNBA Draft and all six UCLA seniors heard their names called by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Six selections from one school in a single draft set a new WNBA record and with five of those draftees going in the first round, that too sets a new WNBA record, and they did it all with head coach Cori Close in attendance. UCLA’S ICONIC RUN CONTINUES 👏 The Bruins make history as the first collegiate program in WNBA history to have six players taken in one draft! pic.

twitter. com/JaXPOR53oH — ESPN (@espn) April 14, 2026 Lauren Betts, fourth overall, Washington Mystics Center Lauren Betts came into the draft with one of the most impressive resumes in UCLA history, her most recent accolade being named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament. Unsurprisingly was one of the most highly touted prospects going into the draft.

From LA to DC 🤩 With the No. 4 pick in the WNBA draft, the Washington Mystics select Lauren Betts 🙌 pic. twitter.