Three members of the UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team were named finalists for major Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame positional awards, according to a March 13 announcement from the university.
The recognition highlights the achievements of graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens, senior Gabriela Jaquez, and senior Lauren Betts during the current season. These honors place them among the top collegiate players in their respective positions nationwide.
Kneepkens is a finalist for the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award. She is one of only three players this season to achieve membership in the 50-40-90 club, reflecting high efficiency in shooting percentages. Kneepkens has posted .518 field goal, .442 three-point, and .952 free throw percentages while averaging 13.4 points per game. She is also one of five active players with over 300 career three-pointers made and ranks 85th all-time with 324 makes from long range.
Jaquez is a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award after a strong senior campaign. The Camarillo native is averaging career highs in points (13.6) and steals (1.1) per game and has improved her shooting across all categories to .543 field goal, .411 three-point, and .867 free throw percentages. Jaquez has started every game this season.
Betts seeks to repeat as Lisa Leslie Center of the Year after winning last season’s honor. She was named both Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year—the first player in conference history to earn both distinctions in one season. Betts leads UCLA with averages of 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game; she also set a personal best with 98 assists this year (3.2 per game). Betts approaches milestones including 1,000 career rebounds, over 250 career blocks, and more than 1,800 career points.
These nominations underscore UCLA’s continued presence among elite programs in women’s college basketball.
