Gabriela Jaquez Balances NCAA Title Run with Mexico National Team Debut
Gabriela Jaquez Balances NCAA Run and International Debut
A senior guard leads UCLA toward its first women’s title
Senior guard Gabriela Jaquez, a 6‑foot junior for the Bruins, is having a career season. She started 33 of 36 games this year, posted a .523 field‑goal percentage and averaged double‑digit scoring while anchoring a defense that has held opponents to 58.4 points per game.
International spotlight
In August 2024 Jaquez earned her first cap with the Mexico women’s national team during the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup pre‑qualification tournament. The appearance underscores her dual American‑Mexican heritage and adds a new dimension to her résumé.
Family ties
Jaquez comes from a basketball family; older brother Jaime Jr. is a Miami Heat guard, while her parents met as college players. The sibling’s support was on display when Jaime flew to Phoenix to watch Gabriela in the NCAA championship game.
What’s next
UCLA enters the Final Four with a realistic shot at its first women’s national title. Jaquez’s poise on the court and growing international experience suggest she could become a fixture for Mexico’s future World Cup campaigns.