Who is Gabriela Jaquez? Meet sister of NBA star leading UCLA in National Championship game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
UCLA’s magical 2025-26 season came from an experienced group, led by Lauren Betts. However, it was Gabriela Jaquez who provided the energy throughout the season, including during the National Championship against South Carolina.
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Jaquez has spent her entire career at UCLA, as her family has become a staple of Bruins’ basketball. While her brother, Jaime, currently plays in the NBA, Gabriela was able to go farther in the NCAA tournament than Jaime ever could.
Here’s what you need to know about the UCLA star guard.
Who is Gabriela Jaquez?
Gabriela Jaquez is a star guard for the UCLA women’s basketball team, as she played all four of her collegiate seasons for the Bruins. Jaquez played in 144 games in her career leading into the National Championship, including 78 as a starter, and averaged a career-high 13.3 points per game in 2025-26.
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Jaquez scored at least 10 points in five of her six NCAA tournament contests, and scored double-digit points in all but seven games this year.
Is Gabriela Jaquez related to Jaime Jaquez Jr?
Gabriela Jaquez is the younger sister of Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., who also attended UCLA for college basketball. The two also have another brother, Marcos, who plays football at Ventura College.
Jaime Jaquez took an absence from the Heat on Sunday to support Gabriela at the National Championship in Arizona.
Gabriela Jaquez career stats
Years
Games
MPG
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
FG%
3P%
FT%
2022-23
37
17.3
6.3
3.5
0.6
0.9
45.5%
34.0%
63.2%
2023-24
34
25.2
10.0
5.6
1.6
0.6
47.8%
25.9%
71.3%
2024-25
36
26.6
9.6
5.3
2.2
0.6
52.3%
34.8%
82.6%
2025-26
37
30.3
13.3
5.4
2.0
1.1
52.8%
38.7%
85.6%
Jaquez steadily improved over the course of her career, leading to a career-best season for the Bruins in 2025-26. She set career highs in points per game, field goal percentage and three-point percentage, all while playing the second-most minutes on the team.
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Gabriela Jaquez draft projection
Gabriela Jaquez is projected to go in the first round of the upcoming WNBA draft. TSN’s David Suggs has Jaquez going No. 10 overall to the Indiana Fever in his most recent mock draft from before the Final Four.