The UCLA women’s basketball team captured their first national title earlier this month when they defeated South Carolina, 79-51, in the championship game.
The Los Angeles Lakers celebrated the team at Crypto.com Arena last week, which was followed by the university’s official recognition and being hosted by the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Bruins will now bring their championship trophy to Dodger Stadium when they throw out the honorary first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers face the New York Mets in Wednesday’s series finale.
UCLA ended their season with a 37-1 record — including a 31-game winning streak — and were unanimously ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press women’s basketball Top 25 poll. Their 28-point margin of victory against the Gamecocks was the third largest in a Division I women’s championship final.
After UCLA won their first national title in women’s basketball, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts congratulated his alma mater for delivering another championship to the city of Los Angeles.
“Hey, coach Close and the UCLA women’s basketball team. Congratulations on your first national championship in history,” Roberts said in a video posted by the Dodgers.
“From one champion to another, you guys went wire to wire as being the best basketball team in college basketball all year long. You did it with class, integrity, toughness, and you guys made the entire Bruin Nation so proud. Congratulations and celebrate tonight. You guys all deserve it.”
The Dodgers have enjoyed a strong relationship with UCLA over the years, and one particularly notable connection is Jackie Robinson, a franchise icon, having attended the university.
As for Roberts, his ties to UCLA remain as strong as ever. He was at the forefront of the Bruins’ search for a new football coach last year, which amounted to the hiring of Bob Chesney.
UCLA sets WNBA Draft record
Expected to be on hand at Dodger Stadium is Lauren Betts, who was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player after finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game.
It has already been a busy week for Betts, who was selected by the Washington Mystics with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She was one of six players from the Bruins’ championship team selected in Monday’s draft.
UCLA made WNBA Draft history with five players taken in the first round. After Betts at No. 4 were Gabriela Jaquez and Kiki Rice were taken with the fifth and sixth overall picks. Angela Dugalic was drafted at No. 9 and Gianna Kneepkens was taken 15th to complete the Bruins making history by breaking UConn’s record.
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