The city of Los Angeles is spoiled with its sports teams, with the Lakers leading the way in terms of total championships. However, the Lakers aren’t the only famous basketball team in the city as UCLA has a lauded men’s basketball program. This year, though, it’s the Bruins’ women’s team that made waves as they dominated the 2026 NCAA Tournament to capture its first national championship.
UCLA blew out South Carolina 79-51 in the championship game, and it wasn’t particularly close as they led from the jump and never looked back. The Lakers hosted the Bruins during their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and they were honored at center court:
The 2026 NCAA Champion @UCLAWBB get honored in LA 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JsWJjqDmhj
— NBA (@NBA) April 8, 2026
The Bruins deserve all the credit for their championship run as they overwhelmed opponents on both sides of the floor. Lauren Betts, who is projected to be selected early in the upcoming 2026 WNBA Draft, was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player and for good reason as she set the tone early and often. Betts overwhelmed front court players with her size, showing an improved touch near the basket while protecting the paint on the other end.
Betts took to social media while at the game to share how special it was to meet LeBron James:
lauren betts after meeting lebron james 😭: pic.twitter.com/PAwNZ1OQYB
— amaia ☆ (@bettsandpieces) April 8, 2026
Aside from Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, sister of Miami Heat forward and fellow UCLA alum Jaime Jaquez, was a key part of the Bruins’ run as a do-it-all guard who consistently made winning plays. The tandem epitomized UCLA’s unselfish approach and proved that they were indeed the best team in women’s college basketball.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, they were unable to give the new champions a better game to watch as they were blown out by the Thunder. The purple and gold entered the matchup extremely shorthanded as they were without the “Big 3,” Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes.
The result wasn’t surprising, but it does raise concerns about the Lakers’ ability to compete the rest of the way. Hopefully they’re able to bounce back on Thursday when they travel up north to take on the Golden State Warriors.
Michigan’s Aday Mara grateful for relationship with Lakers legend Pau Gasol
While UCLA won on the women’s side, Michigan overcame UConn in the men’s championship game of the NCAA Tournament. Like the Bruins, the Wolverines won on the interior thanks to Aday Mara who held down the key.
Mara is originally from Spain and acknowledged how grateful he is to have a relationship with Lakers legend Pau Gasol.
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