Fresh off a 32-point outing against the Washington Wizards, Jaime Jaquez Jr. shifted his focus to his younger sister, Gabriela, delivering an emotional message ahead of her National Championship game.

Wearing a UCLA letterman sweater, Jaquez flew to Phoenix to support Gabriela as she prepared for the NCAA Finals against Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks, marking the culmination of a remarkable 7-year Bruins basketball run for their family. An official X update from WNBA displayed Jaquez's message for the UCLA guard.

The 25-year-old former UCLA player said, "Hey Gabs, this is your big brother here. So, I say, go finish a job that I couldn’t accomplish. Really proud of you and your team. You guys have been doing this for four years, all for this moment right here. So play your hearts out and enjoy this moment."

The message carried extra weight because, despite Jaquez Jr. leading UCLA to the men’s 2021 Final Four and earning 2023 Pac-12 Player of the Year honors, the Bruins fell short, losing a tight 93–90 overtime semifinal to Gonzaga on April 3, 2021.

Gabriela Jaquez, on the other hand, is averaging 13.3 points per game, along with 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. She has helped UCLA reach a 36-1 record and a second straight Final Four while chasing their first women’s national title.

In Friday’s 51-44 semifinal win over Texas, she scored 10 points and added two assists and four rebounds. As the moment builds toward the title game, the focus now shifts to Gabriela Jaquez and her chance to make history with UCLA.

Gabriela Jaquez Eyes History with UCLA

“It’s going to be pretty epic," Jaime Jaquez said on the Heat broadcast, speaking about his sister’s NCAA Finals matchup.

He continued, “I’m really happy for my sister and her team. They’re playing so hard as a group of seniors who’ve been there for a very long time, so this is their moment right now, and just going to go support."

While Gabriela has already accomplished a commendable feat by entering the NCAA finals, the fact that UCLA has never won a women’s national title in the NCAA era isn't allowing her to sit still.

“We keep saying the job's not finished,” Gabriela Jaquez said. “Still have one more game to win.”

Regardless, Gabriela Jaquez is third on the Bruins with 13.3 points per game and has played the second-most minutes on the team. As she heads into her 145th game, with UCLA at 123-21 during her time, all eyes will be on her performance.

That said, do you think Gabriela will be able to lead UCLA to its first-ever NCAA title? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Souvik Roy