The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team is still riding the high of their 2026 NCAA Championship victory, but there's one notable congratulation they say is missing. During a celebratory appearance on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* this week, the team revealed they have not yet heard from President Donald Trump following their title win over South Carolina on April 5th.
Star players Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Angela Dugalic, and Lauren Betts, alongside head coach Cori Close, joined the late-night host to discuss their championship run. The mood was lighthearted, especially when Kimmel noted that former President Barack Obama had already extended his congratulations—a moment that drew cheers from the team, even after Coach Close joked about Obama incorrectly predicting their loss in the final.
The tone shifted slightly when Kimmel asked if they'd heard from the current White House. Guard Kiki Rice simply stated, "We have not." Kimmel, known for his comedic sparring with the president, quipped that they might hear from him "in two weeks," a playful nod to recent political headlines.
Ever the comedian, Kimmel then presented the Bruins with a prop—a faux championship trophy. He urged the team to take it with them if they receive and accept a White House invitation, joking that it was a decoy in case the president was inclined to keep the real one for himself. The segment ended with laughter, keeping the focus on the team's incredible athletic achievement rather than political protocol.
For now, the Bruins' legacy is cemented on the court. Their dominant season and championship victory are what truly matter to fans and the sports world, a testament to teamwork and perseverance that inspires athletes everywhere.
