WATCH NOW
Watch on the app
All Eyes on Gabriela Jaquez as She Makes History at UCLA
Gabriela Jaquez is just getting started, and she’s bringing history, culture, and buckets with her. When you watch Gabriela play, you get the feeling that something special is happening. Maybe it’s the confidence. Maybe it’s the smooth jump shot. Or maybe it’s because, deep down, you know this is just the beginning for her.
Gabriela is only 21, but she’s already doing big things. She’s a key player for the UCLA Bruins, one of the top teams in women’s college basketball. She was the only Latina in this year’s Final Four, representing Mexican roots, family pride, and the next generation of women’s basketball.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Oh, and if her last name sounds familiar, it’s because she’s the little sister of Jaime Jaquez Jr., a rising star for the Miami Heat. But make no mistake: Gabriela Jaquez is making her own name. And she’s doing it loudly and clearly.
A Bruin with Big Dreams
Gabriela was born in Irvine, California, but her heart beats in tricolor. She’s proud of her Mexican heritage, and she represents it every time she steps on the court. She’s the youngest of three siblings in a basketball family. Her brother Jaime made it to the NBA, but even before him, basketball was already in their blood.
Her dad, Jaime Sr., played college ball. Her mom, Angela, was a baller too (and a really good one). She averaged over 21 points per game and even made her college’s Hall of Fame. Gabriela’s grandpa Ezequiel also played back in the day. So yeah, family dinners? Probably all about basketball.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
By the time Gabriela hit high school in Camarillo, California, it was clear she wasn’t just playing for fun. In her senior year, she averaged 34.2 points and 15.7 rebounds per game. That’s not a typo. That’s domination. She was named Player of the Year and even became co-MVP of the All-American Game, alongside her now-teammate Kiki Rice.
Lots of schools wanted her. Utah, Oklahoma, and more came knocking. But she chose UCLA, where her brother had made magic before her. It felt like home. And now, it’s where she’s writing her own legacy.
March Madness and Making History
Fast forward to 2025, and Gabriela is crushing it in her third year at UCLA. This season has been a whirlwind. Her team, the Bruins, went on a 23-game winning streak, finished the season with 34 wins and just 3 losses, and ultimately reached the Final Four, one step away from their first-ever national championship in NCAA women’s basketball.
And Gabriela has been right in the thick of it. In the Elite 8 against LSU, a tough team and last year’s champs, Gabriela dropped 18 points and nailed four 3-pointers to help take UCLA to the next round. It’s ice cold.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Together with teammates Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice, Gabriela became part of a trio that made UCLA a serious threat. Betts won ‘Defensive Player of the Year,’ and Coach Cori Close was named ‘Coach of the Year.’ Unfortunately, their historic season came to an end in the Final Four against UConn, the most legendary program in women’s college basketball, falling short with a score of 78-63. Despite the loss, Gabriela and her team made it clear: UCLA women’s basketball is a powerhouse, and they’re just getting started.
A Star for Mexico, Too
Even though she’s building her career in the U.S., Gabriela hasn’t forgotten where she comes from. In 2024, she made her debut with the Mexican national team during the FIBA World Cup pre-qualifiers. And she dominated.
Gabriela led the team by scoring an average of 21.8 points per game and added nearly 8 rebounds each night. She took Mexico to the semifinals. They didn’t clinch the ticket to the next round, but she showed everyone that Mexico is on the rise, and she’s leading the way.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
She’s made it clear: she wants to keep playing for Mexico. She wants to help them grow and reach new heights. And honestly? With her on the team, anything feels possible.
From Camarillo to the WNBA?
Right now, Gabriela is focused on UCLA. On the Final Four. On chasing that elusive national title. But looking ahead, it’s not hard to imagine what’s next: the WNBA. It’s a dream she shares with her family. If she makes it, she and her brother Jaime would become just the seventh pair of siblings to play in both the NBA and WNBA.
And they’d be the first ever of Mexican descent to do it. She’s not there yet. But the way she’s playing? It feels like it’s only a matter of time.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
More Than Just a Baller
Gabriela is a symbol of something bigger. She’s part of this new wave of women’s basketball that’s breaking records, filling arenas, and showing the world that the women’s game is just as exciting, just as competitive, just as real as anything else.
She’s Latina. She’s first-gen. She’s family-driven. And she’s stepping onto the court with culture on her shoulders as a source of power. Gabriela’s story is about talent, sure, but it’s also about hard work, identity, and love for her game, her roots, and all that she stands for.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
for the latest updates from LatiNation