The Amazing Rise and Fall of UCLA Women's Basketball




UCLA women's basketball has a rich history of success on the court. The Bruins have won 11 national championships, the most of any school in the country. They have also made 20 Final Four appearances and won 22 conference championships.

In recent years, however, the Bruins have struggled to maintain their success. They have not won a national championship since 1999 and have not made a Final Four appearance since 2011. In the past five seasons, they have finished with a losing record three times.

So, what has happened to UCLA women's basketball? There are a number of factors that have contributed to the team's decline, including:

  • Coaching changes: UCLA has had three different head coaches in the past five years, which has led to instability and a lack of continuity for the players.
  • Player departures: The Bruins have lost a number of talented players to transfer and graduation in recent years, which has left the team with a lot of holes to fill.
  • Recruiting struggles: UCLA has not been able to recruit top-tier talent in recent years, which has made it difficult to compete with the best teams in the country.

The combination of these factors has led to a decline in the Bruins' performance on the court. However, there are signs that the team is starting to turn things around. In the 2022-23 season, the Bruins finished with a 19-12 record and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. They also won their first Pac-12 Tournament championship since 2015.

The future of UCLA women's basketball is uncertain, but there is reason to be optimistic. The Bruins have a new head coach in Cori Close, who has a proven track record of success. They also have a talented young roster that includes several promising players. With a little bit of luck, the Bruins can return to their former glory in the near future.