# UCLA Bruins women's basketball

The UCLA Bruins women's basketball program was established in 1974. The current coach is Cori Close. The team was a member of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) until joining the NCAA in 1984. The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team won the AIAW National Championship in 1978, and a banner commemorating the championship hangs in Pauley Pavilion, the current home of the Bruins basketball teams. The 2014–15 team won the 2015 WNIT championship.

## 2012–13 season

* November 9, 2012 – The team returned to the newly renovated Pauley Pavilion and defeated San Diego State 66–52
* November 23, 2012 – No. 19 UCLA were defeated by No. 5 Notre Dame 76–64
* January 13, 2013 – UCLA opened the conference with 4 straight victories.

## 2011–12 season

While Pauley Pavilion was being renovated, the women's basketball team played its 2011–12 season home games at the John Wooden Center.
* April 21, 2011 – Cori Close was named head coach.

## 2010–11 season

* November 12, 2010 – The No. 16 Bruins opened the season with a win over San Diego State 55–48.
* November 18, 2010 – UCLA upset No. 12 Notre Dame in double overtime, 86–83 at Notre Dame to begin the season with a 3–0 record.
* February 6, 2011 – UCLA defeated USC for the second time this season at Galen Center.
* March 12, 2011 – The Bruins were defeated by Stanford in the 2011 Pac-10 Women's Basketball Tournament Final in the Staples Center.
* March 25, 2011 – Mariah Williams, Rebekah Gardner and Markel Walker were named to the 2011 Pac-10 Conference Women's Basketball All-Academic Team.

## 1978 National championship

The 1978 team, led by Ann Meyers, Denise Curry and Anita Ortega, won the 1978 AIAW tournament under head coach Billie Moore. The Bruins defeated Maryland 90–74 on March 25, 1978 in front of a record crowd of 9,351 at Pauley Pavilion for the championship. Meyers had 20 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and eight steals. Ortega recorded a team high 23 points. This team finished the season with a 27–3 record, including a then WCAA conference title.

## Head coaches

* Cori Close
* Nikki Fargas
* Kathy Olivier
* Billie Moore
* Ellen Mosher
* Kenny Washington

## Notable players
### Bruins in the WNBA
#### Drafted

| Player | Draft | Seasons | Years |
| Rehema Stephens | 1998 – 25th by Los Angeles | 1 | (1998) Last with Sacramento |
| Natalie Williams | 1999 – 3rd by Utah | 7 | (1999–2005) Last with the Indiana Fever; Current Las Vegas Aces General Manager |
| Maylana Martin | 2000 – 10th by Minnesota | 2 | (2000–2001) Last with the Minnesota Lynx |
| Nicole Kaczmarski | 2003 – 39th by New York | 0 | - |
| Lisa Willis | 2006 – 5th by Los Angeles | 4 | (2006-2009) Last with the Sacramento Monarchs |
| Nikki Blue | 2006 – 19th by Washington | 6 | (2006-2010) Last with the New York Liberty |
| Noelle Quinn | 2007 – 4th by Minnesota | 12 | (2007-2018) Last with the Seattle Storm; Current Seattle Storm Head Coach WNBA Champion - Player WNBA Champion - Coach |
| Lindsey Pluimer | 2008 – 20th by Washington | 0 | - |
| Nirra Fields | 2016 – 32nd by Phoenix | 1 | (2016) Last with the Phoenix Mercury |
| Jordin Canada | 2018 – 5th by Seattle | 6 | (2018-Present) Currently with Atlanta 2x WNBA Champion |
| Monique Billings | 2018 – 15th by Atlanta | 6 | (2018-Present) Currently with Los Angeles |
| Kennedy Burke | 2019 – 22nd by Dallas | 4 | (2019-2022) Last with Washington |
| Japreece Dean | 2020 – 30th by Chicago | 0 | - |
| Michaela Onyenwere | 2021 – 6th by New York | 3 | (2021-Present) Currently with Chicago WNBA Rookie of the Year |
| Charisma Osborne | 2024 – 25th by Phoenix | 0 | (2024-Present) Currently with Phoenix |

#### Undrafted

| Player | Seasons | Years |
| Sandra Van Embricqs | 1 | (1998) Last with Los Angeles |
| Michelle Greco | 1 | (2004) Last with Seattle WNBA Champion |

### Other Players

* Denise Curry
* Jackie Joyner-Kersee
* Ann Meyers, Phoenix Mercury Vice President
* Natalie Nakase, Las Vegas Aces Assistant Coach
* Teiko Nishi
* Anita Ortega

## Retired numbers

| No. | Player | Pos. | Tenure | No. Ret. | Ref. |
| 12 | Denise Curry | | 1977–81 | 1990 | |
| 15 | Ann Meyers | SG | 1974–78 | 1990 | |

## Year by year results

Conference tournament winners noted with # Source
| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | Coaches' poll | AP poll |
| Kenny Washington (Independent, SCWIAC) (1974–1975) ||||||||
| 1974–75 | Kenny Washington | 18–4 | 9–1 | 1st (SCWIAC) | NWIT Second Place | | |
| Kenny Washington: | Kenny Washington: | 18–4 | 9–1 | | | | |
| Ellen Mosher (Independent, SCWIAC) (1975–1977) ||||||||
| 1975–76 | Ellen Mosher | 19–4 | 12–1 | 1st | AIAW West Regional, NWIT Second Place | | |
| 1976–77 | Ellen Mosher | 20–3 | 7–1 | 1st | AIAW West Regional, NWIT Second Place | | 13 |
| Ellen Mosher: | Ellen Mosher: | 39–7 | 19–2 | | | | |
| Billie Moore (Independent, WCAA, Pac-12) (1977–1993) ||||||||
| 1977–78 | Billie Moore | 27–3 | 8–0 | 1st (WCAA) | AIAW Champions | | 5 |
| 1978–79 | Billie Moore | 24–10 | 7–1 | 1st | AIAW Third Place | | 6 |
| 1979–80 | Billie Moore | 18–12 | 9–3 | 2nd | AIAW West Regional | | |
| 1980–81 | Billie Moore | 29–7 | 9–3 | 2nd | AIAW Quarterfinals | | 7 |
| 1981–82 | Billie Moore | 16–14 | 7–5 | 4th | | | |
| 1982–83 | Billie Moore | 18–11 | 9–5 | 3rd | NCAA First Round | | |
| 1983–84 | Billie Moore | 17–12 | 6–8 | 5th | | | |
| 1984–85 | Billie Moore | 20–10 | 10–4 | 2nd | NCAA Sixteen | | 18 |
| 1985–86 | Billie Moore | 12–16 | 3–5 | 4th | | | |
| Pac-12 Conference ||||||||
| 1986–87 | Billie Moore | 18–10 | 11–7 | 4th (Pac-12) | | | |
| 1987–88 | Billie Moore | 19–11 | 12–6 | 4th | | | |
| 1988–89 | Billie Moore | 12–16 | 8–10 | 4th | | | |
| 1989–90 | Billie Moore | 17–12 | 12–6 | 3rd | NCAA First Round | | |
| 1990–91 | Billie Moore | 15–13 | 10–8 | T-4th | | | |
| 1991–92 | Billie Moore | 21–10 | 12–6 | T-3rd | NCAA Sixteen | 18 | |
| 1992–93 | Billie Moore | 13–14 | 8–10 | 7th | | | |
| Billie Moore: | Billie Moore: | 296–181 | 141–87 | | | | |
| Kathy Olivier (Pac-12) (1993–2008) ||||||||
| 1993–94 | Kathy Olivier | 15–12 | 10–8 | 5th | | | |
| 1994–95 | Kathy Olivier | 10–17 | 5–13 | T-8th | | | |
| 1995–96 | Kathy Olivier | 13–14 | 8–10 | T-6th | | | |
| 1996–97 | Kathy Olivier | 13–14 | 7–11 | 6th | | | |
| 1997–98 | Kathy Olivier | 20–9 | 14–4 | T-2nd | NCAA Second Round | 20 | 25 |
| 1998–99 | Kathy Olivier | 26–8 | 15–3 | T-1st | NCAA Quarterfinals | 15 | 15 |
| 1999–2000 | Kathy Olivier | 18–11 | 12–6 | 4th | NCAA First Round | | |
| 2000–01 | Kathy Olivier | 6–23 | 5–13 | 10th | | | |
| 2001–02 | Kathy Olivier | 9–20 | 4–14 | 8th | | | |
| 2002–03 | Kathy Olivier | 18–11 | 12–6 | 4th | | | |
| 2003–04 | Kathy Olivier | 17–13 | 11–7 | T-3rd | NCAA First Round | | |
| 2004–05 | Kathy Olivier | 16–12 | 10–8 | 6th | | | |
| 2005–06 | Kathy Olivier | 21–11 | 12–6 | 3rd# | NCAA Second Round | 18 | 21 |
| 2006–07 | Kathy Olivier | 14–18 | 7–11 | 7th | | | |
| 2007–08 | Kathy Olivier | 16–15 | 10–8 | T-4th | | | |
| Kathy Olivier: | Kathy Olivier: | 232–208 | 142–128 | | | | |
| Nikki Fargas (Pac-12) (2008–2011) ||||||||
| 2008–09 | Nikki Fargas | 19–12 | 9–9 | T-4th | | | |
| 2009–10 | Nikki Fargas | 25–9 | 15–3 | 2nd | NCAA Second Round | 23 | 22 |
| 2010–11 | Nikki Fargas | 28–5 | 16–2 | 2nd | NCAA Second Round | 13 | 7 |
| Nikki Fargas: | Nikki Fargas: | 72–26 | 40–14 | | | | |
| Cori Close (Pac-12) (2011–2024) ||||||||
| 2011–12 | Cori Close | 14–16 | 9–9 | T-5th | | | |
| 2012–13 | Cori Close | 26–8 | 14–4 | 3rd | NCAA Second Round | 12 | 11 |
| 2013–14 | Cori Close | 13–18 | 7–11 | 8th | | | |
| 2014–15 | Cori Close | 19–18 | 8–10 | 6th | WNIT champions | | |
| 2015–16 | Cori Close | 26–9 | 14–4 | T-3rd | NCAA Sweet Sixteen | 10 | 13 |
| 2016–17 | Cori Close | 25–9 | 13–5 | 4th | NCAA Sweet Sixteen | 15 | 13 |
| 2017–18 | Cori Close | 27–8 | 14–4 | T-3rd | NCAA Elite Eight | 9 | 9 |
| 2018–19 | Cori Close | 22–13 | 12–6 | 4th | NCAA Sweet Sixteen | 20 | 14 |
| 2019–20 | Cori Close | 26–5 | 14–4 | T-2nd | Tournament cancelled | 10 | 9 |
| 2020–21 | Cori Close | 17–6 | 12–4 | 3rd | NCAA Second Round | 9 | 12 |
| 2021–22 | Cori Close | 18–13 | 8–8 | 7th | WNIT semifinals | | |
| 2022–23 | Cori Close | 27–10 | 11–7 | T-4th | NCAA Sweet Sixteen | 14 | 13 |
| 2023–24 | Cori Close | 27–7 | 13–5 | T-2nd | NCAA Sweet Sixteen | 6 | 6 |
| Cori Close (Big Ten) (2024–present) ||||||||
| 2024–25 | Cori Close | 30–2 | 16–2 | 2nd | | 1 | 1 |
| Cori Close: | Cori Close: | 317–142 | Pac-12: 149–91 Big Ten: 16–2 | | | | |
| Total: | Total: | 961–562 | | | | | |
| National champion   Postseason invitational champion   Conference regular season champion   Conference regular season and conference tournament champion  Division regular season champion  Division regular season and conference tournament champion  Conference tournament champion ||||||||

## Postseason results
### NCAA Division I

| Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1983 | #6 | First Round | #3 Oregon State | L 62–75 |
| 1985 | #6 | First Round Sweet Sixteen | #3 Washington #2 Georgia | W 78–62 L 42–78 |
| 1990 | #10 | First Round | #7 Arkansas | L 80–90 (OT) |
| 1992 | #5 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #12 Notre Dame #4 Texas #8 SW Missouri State | W 93–72 W 82–81 L 57–83 |
| 1998 | #7 | First Round Second Round | #10 Michigan #2 Alabama | W 65–58 L 74–75 |
| 1999 | #3 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight | #14 UW–Green Bay #6 Kentucky #2 Colorado State #1 Louisiana Tech | W 76–69 W 87–63 W 77–68 L 62–88 |
| 2000 | #10 | First Round | #7 George Washington | L 72–79 |
| 2004 | #10 | First Round | #7 Minnesota | L 81–92 |
| 2006 | #5 | First Round Second Round | #12 Bowling Green #4 Purdue | W 74–61 L 54–61 |
| 2010 | #8 | First Round Second Round | #9 NC State #1 Nebraska | W 74–54 L 70–83 |
| 2011 | #3 | First Round Second Round | #14 Montana #11 Gonzaga | W 55–47 L 75–89 |
| 2013 | #3 | First Round Second Round | #14 Stetson #6 Oklahoma | W 66–49 L 72–85 |
| 2016 | #3 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #14 Hawaii #6 South Florida #2 Texas | W 66–50 W 72–67 L 64–72 |
| 2017 | #4 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #13 Boise State #5 Texas A&M #1 Connecticut | W 83–56 W 75–43 L 71–86 |
| 2018 | #3 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight | #14 American #11 Creighton #2 Texas #1 Mississippi State | W 71–60 W 86–64 W 84–75 L 73–89 |
| 2019 | #6 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #11 Tennessee #3 Maryland #2 Connecticut | W 89–77 W 85–80 L 61–69 |
| 2021 | #3 | First Round Second Round | #14 Wyoming #6 Texas | W 69–48 L 62–71 |
| 2023 | #4 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #13 Sacramento State #5 Oklahoma #1 South Carolina | W 67–45 W 82–73 L 43-59 |
| 2024 | #2 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen | #15 California Baptist #7 Creighton #3 LSU | W 84–55 W 67–63 L 69-78 |
| 2025 | #1 | First Round | #16 UC San Diego/Southern | TBD |

### AIAW Division I

The Bruins made three appearances in the AIAW National Division I basketball tournament, with a combined record of 8–3.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
| 1978 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship | BYU Stephen F. Austin Montclair State Maryland | W, 96–75 W, 69–51 W, 87–82 W, 75–65 |
| 1979 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship | Oregon State Wayland Baptist Old Dominion Tennessee | W, 105–70 W, 92–73 L, 82–87 L, 86–104 |
| 1981 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals | Oregon State Kansas Louisiana Tech | W, 72–65 W, 73–71 L, 54–87 |