Gabriela Jaquez's championship performance didn't just win UCLA a title. It also earned high praise from one of basketball's biggest stars: Caitlin Clark. After the game, Clark took to social media to react to the dominant showing.

Moments after the win, Caitlin Clark took to X to praise the 22-year-old, writing, "Jaquez is going crazy."

Jaquez had 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in UCLA’s 79-51 win over South Carolina. She made history as just the fifth player ever to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a national championship game.

In her senior season at UCLA, she is projected as a first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, averaging 13.3 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 53.8% from the field and 38.7% from three.

Regardless, it was a big night for the UCLA Bruins, who took control early and cruised to a 28-point victory (the third-largest margin in championship history), while becoming just the eighth team in 30 years to win their first NCAA women’s title.

But it wasn't just Jaquez who managed to impress Clark.

Caitlin Clark Praises Cori Close as Gabriela Jaquez’s Draft Stock Rises

After the win, Caitlin Clark praised head coach Cori Close, who has led the program since 2011 and won her first national title in her 15th season, becoming the longest-tenured coach to do so.

"Not many people care about the game as much as Coach Close. Couldn't be happier for her! Congrats @UCLAWBB," CC22 added.

With a national title secured, the Bruins program enters a new era. Meanwhile, Gabriela Jaquez is projected to go No. 12 to the Connecticut Sun, though she could also be picked at No. 10 by the Indiana Fever.

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Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar