Gabriela Jaquez on UCLA’s Mindset for March

Junior guard Gabriela Jaquez and No.1-ranked UCLA women’s basketball are riding the wave of a Big Ten Tournament title and looking to carry that momentum into March Madness as Selection Sunday approaches.

A key figure in UCLA’s success, Jaquez reflected on the team’s growth, leadership and mindset ahead of the NCAA Tournament. She emphasized how proud she is of her teammates and how much they’ve grown throughout the season.

“I think we're so proud of each other and we really realized what we are capable of when we really set our mind to it and do what needs to be done, and we're just super excited,” Jaquez said.

“I know I was super excited, super tired after. I mean realizing and letting my body rest after playing three games back to back to back. That's a lot, but I'm just super proud of the team and want to keep this momentum going.”

Like Jaquez, junior guard Kiki Rice has also emerged as a strong leader for the Bruins. Jaquez highlighted the leadership growth of Rice, who has stepped into a bigger role this season.

“Just this year, she [Rice] really had to step into a bigger leadership role and she's done a great job of that,” Jaquez said.

“I know it can be hard at times, and so she will lean on our teammates, and we all have each other's back. We have a leadership group that all work together, but I think she's just done an amazing job, and you can see her play on the court obviously, but off the court, I think she does amazing things for this team.”

Rice’s impact extends beyond her production on the floor. As Jaquez noted, Rice has taken ownership as a leader, helping to unify the team and set the tone both in games and behind the scenes.

That kind of leadership will be critical as UCLA enters the high-pressure environment of the NCAA Tournament. Jaquez spoke about the importance of a player-led team and how UCLA’s ability to take control has been a key factor in their success.

“I think that we learned a lot from this tournament in general, and it started before the championship game,” she said. “Just understanding when us players take control, what we're capable of, and how much power we have.

"You guys talk about a player-led team being really important, and I think that throughout the whole tournament, we were really locked in, and we all were on the same page with the same mindset. No one’s gonna stop us. We are confident in ourselves, and we know what we're capable of.”

This championship mindset is what separates great teams from good ones.

UCLA isn’t just reacting to what’s happening on the court — they are dictating the pace, taking accountability, and trusting themselves. Jaquez’s words reveal a team that knows its potential and is determined to prove it in the tournament.

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