Timea Gardiner is a forgotten name for this UCLA Bruins team. She missed all of the 2025 season due to injury. But she is set to return for the 2026 season after getting a redshirt year. She played a key role in the UCLA team of 2024 that went to the Final Four, as she was one of the best shooters on the team. Shooting 39.5% from 3-point range on 4.5 attempts per game. Showing she can be a key contributor to a young 2026 team.
People forget how talented Timea Gardiner is. TG, Betts and Muse were all McDonald’s AA’s. Bilic is a really talented offensive player. Okafor picked UCLA over SCar. Sienna’s injury early derailed her frosh year. She’ll be better.
— Jason Fray (@_calcio23) April 6, 2026
They’re going to load up in the portal, too. https://t.co/UI2zuFBK3z
Gardiner will be the veteran of this new team coming up. As UCLA graduated out six players to the WNBA after winning the championship. Their goal in the transfer portal has been to go after younger players with more eligibility. They have been able to grab some very good players to pair with Lena Bilić and Sienna Betts timeline. Gardiner now becomes that veteran presence on the team with her ability to lead.
UCLA is not going to be able to replace all of the talent that they lost. But Cori Close is very good at developing players and that is her goal for this team that she is putting together. Bonnie Deas brings you good rebounding at the guard position, while Betts and Bilić have that championship experience. Bringing back Elina Aarnisalo after a year in North Carolina is huge as well.
Timea Gardiner off the bench vs LSU:
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) March 30, 2025
15 PTS
3 RBS
2 AST
1 STL
5-8 3P
✨ pic.twitter.com/TMRMufGvox
Gardiner will be expected to lead with not only her play, but also her voice with the younger players. She has played in some very big games for the team. While she also had her first two years of college at Oregon State where she played a big role as well. It will be interesting to see how this UCLA team meshes together for next year. But there is tremendous upside and growth that is expected with this roster. There will be growing pains but also flashes of what’s to be in the future.
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