UCLA head coach Cori Close knows her team has more potential than last year’s injury-plagued season. While it’s easy for her to ask “what if,” Close hopes the struggles they faced can push them in the right direction this year.
“I think you have a choice. Every situation has areas of growth and something to learn,” she said. “I think we had a chance to be a championship-level team if we stayed healthy all year long. We can’t focus on that, but we can focus on what it has taught us.”
The Bruins finished the 2021-22 campaign with an 18-13 overall record and advanced to the WNIT Semifinals. UCLA hadn’t missed an NCAA Tournament since his 2015, but his postseason run in WNIT was a solid achievement considering his lack of continuity due to injury. Only four players played in the first 19 games last season.
One player who missed a significant amount of time was Angela Dugalic. The 6.4-foot forward was her 5-star recruit who played for Oregon throughout the 2020-21 season and for the Serbia national team at the Tokyo Olympics.She was a potential starter for the Bruins, but a preseason knee injury prevented her from making her season debut until February 11 at Washington State University. Suffered another injury during training camp with Serbia ahead of the FIBA World Cup. Underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL It’s early October and it’s expected to miss the next season.
Another player who was able to make a difference last year is former Wake Forest starter Gina Conti. In 2021 she moved to UCLA but has yet to play for the Bruins due to her foot injury. She left the Demon Deacons with 485 career assists, ranking third in school history and breaking the all-time program record just 29. Close says her graduate student experience will be invaluable to the Bruins. said it would be a thing.
Emily Bessoir missed the entire season last season due to a torn ACL. The 6.4-foot forward appeared in 22 games last season, averaging 7.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. She showed that potential by posting seven double-digit performances.
Close said the past two years have probably been the most difficult of her career, as the year before her injury-plagued season was the first full season of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the coach says there are many good lessons along the way, and her focus is on her team having an “I get” mentality. In the words of men’s basketball head coach Tony Bennett after becoming the first No. 1 seed after losing to the No. 16 seed in a tournament.
“He said, ‘Adversity, if you choose to handle it well, can buy you a ticket to places you never would otherwise go.’ Yes, and if you choose to handle adversity well and be taught, I hope this year you buy tickets to places you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to go.”
The Bruins could be much stronger than last year if they can stay healthy. They’ve brought back top scorer Charisma Osborne, and she’ll get more help as other players have shown significant improvement during the offseason. Redshirt sophomore guard Dominic Onu shot 41.3 percent of field goals and averaged 5.4 points in 27 games last season.
“People won’t believe how much she’s improved because of all the hard work she’s put in,” Close said.
Of course, UCLA’s biggest push is to add the nation’s top freshman class, including Kiki Rice, the #2 recruit overall. Close said there was probably no more decorated player to arrive at UCLA, but what stands out for her most is her drive and work ethic, as well as her humility.
Rice will be a familiar face joining FIBA U18 America’s Championship teammate Londyn Jones. They helped team his USA to a gold medal and Rice picked up his MVP honors. Jones said she’s a 5-foot-4 guard, but Close said her height didn’t stop her from being dangerous.
“She’s small, but I think that’s what’s pulled out of her. It’s not the size of a dog, it’s the size of a dog fight. I always say she has a dog in her.” , DAWG,” said Close. “She has charisma and isn’t afraid to be tough on her teammates. I am not afraid to be coached.”
Another famous name is Gabriela Jacquez. His brother Jaime is the star of the men’s team. She averaged 34.2 points, 15.7 rebounds, 4.7 steals and 2.6 assists per game during her senior year of high school. Close said her stats are impressive, but so is her playmaking ability.
“She’s got great stats and people will talk about it, but she just makes winning plays,” the coach said. Whether it’s a brawler or a deflection that leads to a steal. She doesn’t care, she just wants to win. I think she’s an elite competitor.”
Then there’s Lina Sontag, a 6-foot-3 forward who Close said WNBA coaches compared to Sato Savary. Sontag brings professional experience from Europe, which allows her to move between guard and forward. Kroos said he was versatile, had a high basketball IQ and was “tough as nails”.
The coach said it was Kristin Iwaala who surprised the fans the most.
“She’s incredible. She has great power, soft legs and a passion for the game,” said Close. “She’s such a fun teammate. She’s going to be a big impact player. She’s probably just people don’t know about, but she’s phenomenal.”
The last time the Bruins had a first recruit class was in 2014 with Monique Billings and Jordan Canada. That particular group had great success, reaching the Elite Eight his third time in the Sweet Sixteen.
This season, Close said her team played deep, solid guard and could play better pressure defense. I am even more pleased with their work ethic and ‘championship level standards’.
As the season approaches, the Bruins are trying to forget last season and not focus on external expectations or shortfalls regarding the team. Close isn’t too confident in her ranking, but she said she thinks her team has what it takes to be in the top 25.
“There’s always an opportunity,” Close said. “Play his In The Battle 4 Atlantis against top 15 level opponents in the second week of the season. You have a chance to win what you want.”
