The Chicago Sky didn't just draft a player on Monday night; they invested in a cornerstone for their future. With the No. 5 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Sky selected UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez, a move that had been meticulously planned for weeks by GM Jeff Pagliocca and head coach Tyler Marsh.
On the surface, the basketball fit is seamless. At 6-foot, Jaquez brings the exact blend of length and sharpshooting that Marsh’s system craves. Coming off a senior season where she shot a blistering 39% from deep, she provides the Sky with a dynamic wing who can space the floor alongside playmakers like Skylar Diggins and complement off-ball scorers such as DiJonai Carrington. Her defensive tenacity, honed on a stacked, championship-winning UCLA squad, makes her an immediate two-way asset.
"It’s hard for us to pass up on a 6-foot shooter that plays hard," Pagliocca stated. "She can play on any team in this league. She’s going to be perfect for us here. … Tyler loves shooting. I love shooting. The fact that she’s a two-way player helps even more."
But this pick signifies something deeper than just on-court strategy. For a Sky team looking to solidify its identity, Jaquez represents a cultural building block. Her four-year tenure at UCLA culminated in a storybook NCAA championship run, where she elevated her game, averaging 13.5 points and serving as a defensive anchor. More importantly, she earned a reputation as a unifying force and a consummate professional.
When Marsh sought an assessment from UCLA coach Cori Close, the conversation quickly moved beyond X's and O's. Close emphasized Jaquez's character and her consistent, day-in, day-out approach—the very intangibles that define a winning culture. "All the things that you see on TV is what she exudes each day," Marsh relayed. "That’s what you hope for in a player. Someone that can practice the same way that they play on a nightly basis, that’s paramount."
In Gabriela Jaquez, the Chicago Sky didn't just add a talented wing; they secured a player whose work ethic and championship pedigree are poised to leave a lasting imprint on the franchise's foundation.