UCLA Basketball Opens Title Defense Monday

UCLA’s women’s basketball team defeated South Carolina 79-51 in the NCAA championship game last April, securing the program’s first national title since 1978. The Bruins now prepare to defend that crown against Lehigh in their season opener on Monday at Pauley Pavilion.

The team went 37-1 last season and swept the Big Ten Conference championships. Under head coach Cori Close, the Bruins have appeared in the NCAA postseason in nine of the last 10 tournaments. They have posted a 25-9 record in tournament games during her 16 years at UCLA.

Close is entering her 34th year of coaching. She credited her leadership style for keeping the roster focused on daily process rather than the pressure of repeating as champions. Sienna Betts, a sophomore forward, cited trust and open communication in the locker room as key factors in her comfort on the court. Timea Gardner, a fifth-year forward, described Close as a coach who prioritizes person-centered development over athlete-centered tactics.

The roster features six seniors who entered the WNBA draft last season. Close noted that the team’s standard remains high despite the departure of key players. She emphasized that freshmen must provide immediate impact to make the roster, a stance she took after taking risks that affected team culture in previous years.

Donovyn Hunter, a six-foot senior guard who transferred from Texas Christian, described Close as passionate and demanding. Hunter said she was warned before the transfer that Close would push players to their limits. Close pointed to her football counterpart Bob Chesney as a model for leadership, noting his 7-0 start to the season and his focus on building character and habits.

The Bruins’ last season ended with a dominant performance in Phoenix. Close said the team refuses to accept external pressure to win immediately. Instead, the staff focuses on the journey and the development of each player. The team aims to replicate the consistency that led to their record-breaking season.

The season opener against Lehigh marks the beginning of Close’s effort to maintain UCLA’s competitive edge. The program has drafted 23 players into the WNBA under her direction. Close stated that the team’s culture is built on gratitude, service, and a commitment to making uncommon choices.