After leading UCLA to its first-ever NCAA women's championship, coach Cori Close used her postgame press conference to define the program's foundation and dominating finish to the 2025/26 season.
The Bruins' 79-51 blowout win over South Carolina closed out a season built on consistency on both ends of the floor. However, Close pointed to the group's long-term vision as the ultimate game-changer.
"It's just so rare in life that you can start a journey with a group of people and really envision something... and that it actually happens," Close said.
"When I think back, even on the games of this Final Four, I just think about how many of those 'wills' they actually lived out. And one of the things that they said is every player had to sacrifice. If any of our six seniors were on any other team, I believe they would have been All-American."
Throughout the tournament, UCLA leaned on depth and balance rather than individual production. Multiple players stepped up into key moments across the Final Four.
Close additionally highlighted Gianna Kneepkens' role within that structure.
"Gianna is just a spectacular competitor," she said. "When you come here, you will get buoyed by the comradeship — everybody does that here. She's always had to be the most hardworking player and do it alone. Here, that's the baseline expectation."
The championship also came as the sport continues to evolve, with increased investment and professionalization across NCAA basketball.
"It is a different era now," Close continued. "We're a professional organization now... But it can't overtake our love of the game or our love of each other."
Now, the challenge shifts. UCLA enters next season as the defending NCAA women's champion, with expectations reset after this year's breakthrough run.
