Gianna Kneepkens only played one season for the UCLA Bruins. But it was a very effective one as she became one of the best shooters in the nation. She helped UCLA space the floor on offense and she also played great defensively. Sliding into the role effortlessly and keeping this team rolling from the start. You would have never known that. She just got to UCLA this season. Her play helped UCLA win their first NCAA championship.
Gianna Kneepkens vs ranked competition:
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) January 18, 2026
20 PTS | 1 AST | 2-5 3P vs No. 6 Oklahoma
7 PTS | 5 AST | 1-5 3P vs No. 11 UNC
17 PTS | 2 AST | 3-6 3P vs No. 4 Texas
19 PTS | 3 AST | 4-6 3P vs No. 14 Tennessee
12 PTS | 2 AST | 3-9 3P vs No. 19 Ohio State
15 PTS | 5 AST | 2-4 3P vs No.… pic.twitter.com/RqVYIerzAT
Now with the NCAA tournament now over CBS Sports has her listed in their mock draft going No. 8 to the Golden State Valkyries. She would immediately slot in with that team as a starting wing player. Being able to space the floor and helping improve their defense. Kneepkens didn’t have the greatest NCAA tournament. But she still was very valuable to the team on defense. Even though her shot struggled a little bit.
Kneepkens is a very good player that will translate well to the next level due to her ability to shoot. She spent four seasons at Utah before becoming a grad transfer to UCLA for this season as a senior. Her scoring was down compared to her Utah days. But she didn’t need to score as much with UCLA also having other players that could get you 20 points. Such as Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez.
Gianna Kneepkens helps the Bruins get their first lead since the first minute of the first quarter🔥 pic.twitter.com/E5aRniiXSd
— ESPN (@espn) March 29, 2026
On the season Kneepkens averaged 12.8 points and did so on 50/42.9/93 shooting splits. As she was able to cross the elusive 50/40/90 shooting line that so many players covet. She also averaged 1.1 steals per game and was very important as a wing defender. UCLA had the best defense in the nation this season and they shut down some of the best collegiate players in the world. Kneepkens played a large part of that.