Fresh off cutting down the nets for their first-ever national championship, the UCLA Bruins have made history once again—this time at the 2026 WNBA Draft. In a stunning display of talent, a record six players from the title-winning squad heard their names called, with a record five of those selections coming in the first round alone.

The blue-chip talent pipeline from Westwood to the pros was on full display. The run was headlined by two-time All-American and Final Four Most Outstanding Player Lauren Betts, who was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics. Betts' selection sparked a remarkable streak, as three Bruins were taken with consecutive picks. Her teammate, forward Angela Dugalić, will join her in Washington after being selected ninth.

The draft haul underscores the sheer dominance of UCLA's 37-1 championship season. This core didn't just win; they dominated the Final Four, scoring every single one of UCLA's 130 combined points in the national semifinal and championship game victories over Texas and South Carolina.

Beyond Betts and Dugalić, the class found exciting new homes. Gabriela Jaquez was taken fifth by the Chicago Sky, while dynamic guard Kiki Rice went sixth to the Toronto Tempo. Later, the Connecticut Sun secured a formidable duo, selecting Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker with the 15th and 18th picks, respectively. Leger-Walker's selection in the second round officially broke the previous record of five players drafted from one school, a mark held by powerhouses like South Carolina and Tennessee.

While head coach Cori Close faces a significant rebuild after losing her entire starting core, the legacy of this historic UCLA team is now permanently etched in the record books—twice over. For fans and aspiring players alike, it's a powerful testament to how championship culture cultivates professional-ready talent.