Gabriela Jaquez Christmas time check in after 12 games

Gabriela Jaquez has been one of the best players on a stacked UCLA team this year. So much to the tune of she has gone from 2nd round in WNBA mock drafts to top 10 talks. She has improved every asset of her game and is shooting the ball with tremendous confidence. Jaquez is shooting 56.1% from the field on the season. But more eye popping is her 54.2% 3-point shooting. When her first three years she was at around 33%. Her hard work has led to her being number one in the nation in 3-point percentage amongst all players shooting at least four per game.

Jaquez was only a spot starter her first two years at UCLA. As she was inserted into the starting lineup just last season. Her field goal percentage has gone up every season in college, starting out at 45.5% her freshman year. Every year that has gone by you can just see the comfortability level go up. She sees the floor very well and the chemistry level between her, Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice are unmatched. With Gianna Kneepkens in fold as well, the team is clicking at an historic rate.

Coming out of high school, Jaquez was a four star recruit out of Camarillo. She was dominate her senior year averaging 31.7 points and 14.8 rebounds per game. All signs pointed towards that she was going to join her brother at UCLA. Once the offer came in, she was signed a week later. She played a spark plug role that freshman season off the bench and had a lot of room for growth.

Now in her senior season, she is showing all the improvements that she has made. She will make an All-Big Ten team and be a high pick in the WNBA Draft. It is remarkable to see how much she has climbed in mock drafts. Going from project professional player to expecting to be a contributor right off the bat. The Jaquez family tree will always be a special one to Bruin nation. Now let’s hope it all ends with hoisting that trophy at the end of March Madness.