History was made in the 2025 NCAA basketball tournaments, and for the first time since the event began in 1939, a New Zealander has been crowned champion on both the men's and women's side. UCLA guard Charlisse Leger-Walker and Michigan forward Oscar Goodman, both proudly wearing number five and hailing from New Zealand's North Island, have etched their names into the record books, being celebrated back home as the new "GOATs" of Kiwi hoops.
The celebrations kicked off in a fittingly modern way. Shortly after leading her UCLA Bruins to the women's title, Leger-Walker took to Instagram, posting a photo of Goodman with the caption, "Great week to be a Kiwi." Her post captured the magnitude of a shared, nation-defining moment in college sports.
For Leger-Walker, this championship season was a story of resilience and historic firsts. The 24-year-old guard, who scored 10 crucial points in the title game against top-seeded South Carolina, secured the first NCAA championship in UCLA women's basketball history. In doing so, she also became the first New Zealand woman ever to win a U.S. college basketball national title. This crowning achievement came in her only active season with the Bruins, a fifth year of eligibility she used after transferring from Washington State and redshirting to recover from an ACL injury.
In a post-game interview, Leger-Walker described the feeling as "surreal," especially after never having advanced past the first round of March Madness in her previous campaigns. "When you constantly practice at a level where you understand you want to be national champions, it's almost surreal when it finally does happen," she said. This victory marks a perfect finale to her collegiate career, as she and five other UCLA seniors are now set to depart and pursue professional opportunities.
On the men's side, Oscar Goodman's journey is just hitting its stride. Unlike his compatriot, the Michigan forward has confirmed he will return to the Wolverines next season. He aims to build on this championship experience and play an even larger role in the team's success over his remaining three years in Ann Arbor, signaling that this might just be the beginning of his impact on the game.
Together, Leger-Walker and Goodman have not only made personal history but have also elevated the profile of New Zealand basketball on the world's most prestigious collegiate stage. Their parallel paths to glory, marked by dedication and peak performance, exemplify the competitive spirit that drives athletes to make their mark, from the campus court to the global arena.