​LOS ANGELES — In Friday’s matchup between the L.A. Sparks and the Chicago Sky, a Southern California native came back home. Gabriela Jaquez, a member of the UCLA Bruins’ national championship team just a few months earlier, returned to Los Angeles as part of the Chicago Sky. Jaquez’s profile had risen significantly during that title run, and she later landed fifth overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Jaquez was asked whether she had spoken with her brother, Jaime—now a Milwaukee Bucks player—about going pro and what to expect. “Not really,” she said with a smile. “But he’s supportive, yeah.”
Remarkably, Jaquez had not yet played inside Crypto.com Arena. “No, I haven’t,” she admitted when asked about any prior experience in the venue. “I’m super excited to play here in Crypto.com Arena, since I grew up knowing it as Staples Center. I’ve watched so many legends play here and so many games I’ve attended. I walked out there and looked at Jacy (Sheldon), my teammate, and said, ‘This is so crazy.’ I’m just playing in here now. I’ve watched so many games. It’s just a really special moment.”
Jaquez also mentioned the idea of having a “fan section” in attendance. “Yeah, there’s going to be a lot of people here, obviously,” she said with a smile. “But I’m really excited. My family has two suites that they’ll be in the majority, and I’ll have some friends and other family members in the arena as well. It should be a lot of fun.”
Transitioning to the pros hasn’t been easy for any player, Jaquez acknowledged. “Yeah, it’s a very quick runway. It’s a fast transition,” she admitted. “I don’t think you can fully prepare for it because there’s nothing quite like it. But I did know it would be quick and intense, so I’ve tried to stay grateful through it all.”
Fortunately, she isn’t navigating the journey alone. “At the very least, I have my teammates to lean on,” Jaquez said. “Everyone offers a lot of great advice. I’ve really appreciated Jacy Sheldon, Rachel Banham, Natasha Cloud, and the rest of the group. If I list them all, it would be a long one. They’ve all been incredibly helpful, and even today, I had questions about the scout. Natasha was right there saying, ‘If you have any questions, let me know.’ It can be hard at times, and she was exceptionally supportive through it all. I really appreciate their guidance during this process.”
She also values the connection with her former UCLA teammates. All six seniors from that championship team are now in the WNBA. “We still keep that senior group chat alive, sharing updates with one another,” Jaquez said. “When we’re about to play against each other, I’ll text that I’m coming into town or they’ll text me, and we can always grab dinner the night before. That remains incredibly special.”