Lakers Honor Lauren Betts, UCLA in Video, Photos After 2026 NCAA Title Win vs. South Carolina

The Los Angeles Lakers honored this year's NCAA women's basketball champions, UCLA, at center court on Tuesday night during their matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

UCLA beat South Carolina on Sunday, 79-51, to win the title.

"My dream was to be at UCLA," Gabriela Jaquez told reporters after the win. "It brought tears to my eyes when Coach Cori [Close] offered me. We were determined, the core group, to do something UCLA hadn't done before in the NCAA era. That was important for us. We always believed. We always believed. Job is finished."

The triumph was a veteran affair—every point the Bruins scored in the Final Four came from its seniors, led by tournament Most Outstanding Player Lauren Betts:

It was a special moment for the program, sealing UCLA's first-ever title in women's basketball.

While the Lakers honored the team on Tuesday, UCLA will be holding its celebration on Wednesday at Pauley Pavilion.