The UCLA Bruins women's basketball will get another chance to celebrate their historic national championship on one of the biggest stages in basketball. The team is set to be honored during tonight’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder after becoming the first UCLA women’s team to win a national title.
In a city that takes basketball as seriously as Los Angeles does, it is a fitting tribute for a group that just delivered one of the biggest moments in UCLA sports history.
The news was reported by Dave McMenamin on X who said, “The UCLA Women’s Basketball 2026 NCAA National Championship team will be in attendance for tonight’s Lakers-Thunder game and be honored on the court for their title win over South Carolina.”
A Closer Look at a First Championship Win for the Bruins
UCLA Bruins women's basketball finally broke through in the biggest way possible. After years of getting close but never quite reaching the top, the Bruins put together the perfect finish to their season by winning the first NCAA championship in program history.
The title game against South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball never really felt in doubt. UCLA came out sharper, more confident, and looked like the better team from the start. By the closing minutes, players on the bench were already smiling through tears and soaking in the moment because they knew what they had just accomplished.
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A huge part of the story was Lauren Betts, who completely changed games on both ends of the floor throughout the tournament. Her block late in the semifinal felt like the moment UCLA truly believed the championship was theirs to win. But this run was about much more than one player.
Several of the Bruins took unusual paths to get here. Some transferred in after difficult experiences elsewhere, others stayed loyal even after tough tournament losses, and together they formed the deepest and most experienced team in the country. Head coach Cori Close spent years building toward this moment, and now UCLA has the championship banner to show for it.
