The NCAA tournament wrapped up on a high note for the UCLA team, which controlled the proceedings right from the start and closed the game well before the regulation time. Leading from the front were Gabriela Jaquez and Lauren Betts, who were the most consistent pair for the team throughout the championship run.
Betts’s clutch block earned a place in the championship game while Jaquez led the side with 21 points in the finals to lift the trophy. And UCLA fans enjoyed the star guard’s confident response during the postgame interview.
Gabriela Jaquez’s ‘Mic Drop’ Moment
UCLA not only won its first-ever championship but set a record for the third-highest marginal win in the championship game. While it speaks volumes about the domination of the team, the trio, who already had their ‘dance moves’ ready for the moment, took over the ceremony and podium during the title handover.
ESPN’s Holly Rowe would ask Jaquez about a statement she said earlier in the season and follow up on her response. “You told this team they needed to look in the mirror and decide who they want to be as a team. Who did this group decide to be this season?” Rowe asked the UCLA star. Jaquez was quick to respond to the question, saying, “We decided to be National Champions.”
Gabriela Jaquez ends her TV interview with a MIC DROP 😮💨🎤
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 5, 2026
“You told this team they needed to look in the mirror and decide who they want to be as a team. Who did this group decide to be this season?”
Jaquez: “We decided to be National Champions.” pic.twitter.com/4tYXzUobeN
But it was not only the stage where the guard shone on the night, but she led the side with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, complementing Betts’ double-double performance. Cori Close this as her best-coached side, and the team lived up to her expectations and all the hype.
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As for Jaquez, she achieved another incredible feat with the championship.
Gabriela Jaquez Creates ‘Personal’ History With Championship Win
The Jaquez name was already big at UCLA, with her brother Jamie helping the side reach the Final Four in 2021 before drafting to the NBA. That’s not it; their parents both were part of college basketball at Concordia University during their time.
Gabriela, though, took the step further and won the title, becoming the first to leave with the trophy. It also has a wider impact on the Mexican-American visibility in basketball as the star representing Mexico at the International level.
Now with an eye on the WNBA draft, she will look to lift a pro league title before her brother plays for a contender team.