There was no other player that saw a jump in the WNBA Draft like Gabriela Jaquez did. She went from before the season started as a potential second round pick. All the way up to becoming a top five WNBA pick. It is truly fascinating to watch how great her senior year was to her and how it all paid off. Now she goes at No. 5 to the Chicago Sky. One pick after her teammate Lauren Betts went to the Washington Mystics at No. 4.
Gabriela is dancing all the way to Chicago 💃
— ESPN (@espn) April 13, 2026
With the No. 5 pick in the WNBA draft, the Sky select Gabriela Jaquez 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WARFCqwL8J
Jaquez showed her senior year how much growth she had in her game. She was elite on defense and was an all-around player on offense. She always seemed to make the right play and helped UCLA win a national championship. Her game expanded in every aspect. Coming in as a freshman she seemed very hesitant, but once she hit that stride, she never looked back.
Gabriela now joins her brother Jaime Jaquez Jr. as a professional basketball player. Jaime also starred at UCLA on some very good teams such as the First Four to Final Four team in 2021. He was an attendance at the championship game to cheer on his sister winning the national title. It has been really fun to watch what all the Jaquez family provided to the UCLA Bruins over the years.
"Every game is going to be different but if I'm working hard and putting in all the effort, I'm just happy to do that."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 13, 2026
Gabriela Jaquez told @sportsiren she is ready to give it her all for the @chicagosky 😤 pic.twitter.com/0a8Qs0pWod
Gabriela will step in and help Chicago right off the bat. She can knock down the 3-point shot and get down hill well. Her ability to play elite defense will also be a huge boost to the Chicago Sky. UCLA boasted one of the best defenses of all time. Now they send their players off to the WNBA to help continue elevating their teams. Gabriela has the makings to be a great player for a long time in the WNBA.