When you think of UCLA's national championship run last season, one name stands out for all the right reasons: Gabriela Jaquez. Known for her relentless hustle and fearless energy, the former Bruins star has already made a lasting impression on her new Chicago Sky teammates—and she did it in her very first WNBA game.
Jaquez made her professional debut on Friday against the Portland Fire, and she didn't just show up—she started. Out of the six UCLA players drafted in 2026, Jaquez was the only one to earn a starting spot in her debut. And she delivered. Over 32 minutes, she put up 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, helping the Sky secure a commanding 98-83 victory.
After the game, the praise came pouring in. Third-year forward Rickea Jackson and veteran guard Skylar Diggins—an 11-season WNBA star—both took time to highlight what made Jaquez's performance so special.
"She's just fearless, and she does the little things," Jackson said. "You can tell she just came from college in a good way. She be getting out, and I feel like I haven't seen that since college, like a person that just runs. That's what we've been missing, that's what we need."
Diggins nodded in agreement as Jackson continued: "Just throw the ball up to Gabs, and she's making the little plays. On the defensive end, she's disruptive. She had some deflections. Just playing with someone fearless like that is fun."
It's clear the Sky trusts Jaquez. Not only did they make her a starter in the season opener, but they also selected her with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. That's a big vote of confidence for a player who didn't pile up the same individual accolades as some of her former UCLA teammates. While Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice were both AP All-Americans and All-Big Ten First Team selections in 2026, Jaquez earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors—but never an AP All-American nod.
What she lacks in awards, though, she more than makes up for in grit. Her relentless hustle was a game-changer for UCLA's championship run, and it's already proving to be just as valuable for the Sky. For fans who love players who leave it all on the floor, Gabriela Jaquez is exactly the kind of star you want to watch—and wear.