It's a new era for UCLA women's basketball—and the WNBA is already feeling the impact.
Just months after capturing the program's first-ever NCAA championship in April, six Bruins were selected in the WNBA Draft, setting a league record for the most players drafted from the same school in a single class. And on Friday's Opening Night, five of those six stars officially began their professional careers.
The night's biggest storyline? A reunion of sorts between former teammates now wearing different colors. Kiki Rice and the expansion Toronto Tempo faced off against the Washington Mystics, who feature fellow Bruins Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalić. Rice, drafted No. 6 overall and the first-ever pick in Tempo franchise history, logged three rebounds and an assist in 18 minutes. Betts and Dugalić came off the bench for Washington, combining for seven rebounds and two points in a tight 68-65 Mystics win.
Over in Connecticut, Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker made their debuts with the Sun. Leger-Walker played a team-high 21 minutes off the bench, tallying four points, two rebounds, and an assist. Kneepkens wasn't far behind, dropping seven points, five rebounds, and an assist in just 13 minutes of action.
The lone Bruin yet to debut? Gabriela Jaquez, the No. 5 overall pick, who will take the court for the Chicago Sky on Saturday against the Portland Fire.
From championship confetti to WNBA hardwood, UCLA's 2026 draft class is already making history—and they're just getting started.