Caitlin Clark Amplifies Heat Star’s Sister After Exceptional Performance in NCAA Final

Caitlin Clark watched as Gabriela Jaquez and her UCLA Bruins destroyed South Carolina in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game.

Caitlin Clark Amplifies Heat Star’s Sister After Exceptional Performance in NCAA Final

Caitlin Clark and Gabriela Jaquez (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Caitlin Clark praised Gabriela Jaquez's performance in the NCAA championship game.
  • Jaquez, sister of NBA player Jamie Jaquez Jr., is projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming WNBA draft.
  • Clark congratulated UCLA on winning their first NCAA Championship, highlighting the team's strong coaching and player performance.

Even though the Iowa Hawkeyes’ women’s basketball team did not make a deep run in the NCAA’s March Madness, Caitlin Clark was still enjoying every bit of basketball her former college rivals displayed this season.

The Iowa native saw her Hawkeyes’ shooting troubles stop them in the second round. Since then, five-star recruit Addie Deal and two other guards entered the transfer portal, as they felt they needed a fresh start to further their basketball journeys.

On the other hand, Clark watched the regular powerhouse programs go deep into the latter stages, as the battle for this year’s supremacy came down to the wire.

In the midst of this, she also noticed undefeated UConn losing to South Carolina in the Final Four, something many did not see coming. The Gamecocks were often touted as inconsistent when facing continued excellence.

That inconsistency became their undoing when facing the experienced UCLA Bruins in the championship battle. Powered by six seniors, who will soon join Caitlin Clark in the WNBA, the Los Angeles-based franchise proved how important continuity and chemistry are.

One of them, California native and longtime Bruins standout, Gabriela Jaquez, led all players with 21 points, 10 points, and five assists.

Jaquez going crazy.

Caitlin Clark wrote on X

This was the Indiana Fever superstar’s reaction to watching the forward play well on both sides of the ball. Her performances may not have been enough to win Player of the Tournament, but they were enough to capture Caitlin Clark’s attention.

Gabriela Jaquez could become Caitlin Clark’s teammate

Gabriela Jaquez happens to be Miami Heat star Jamie Jaquez Jr.‘s sister. After her scintillating performances in the championship game, some expect the 6-foot forward to go to the Indiana Fever.

UCLA's 6 WNBA-bound seniors with the championship trophy
UCLA’s 6 WNBA-bound seniors with the championship trophy (Image via California Post/X)

In fact, Sporting News had the American-Mexican to go to the Fever even before she shone against South Carolina. Her performances over the past four seasons and her improvement across all statistical columns this season have elevated her into a lottery pick.

After their stellar run to the playoff semifinals last season, the Fever will select 10th in the upcoming weekend’s draft. Considering the plethora of elite talent in this year’s draft, the franchise will be in the perfect situation to draft Jaquez.

The Indianapolis-based organization needs a scoring, floor-stretching big after losing Chloe Bibby in the expansion draft. But drafting a pro-ready three-and-D wing would be perfectly alright with a team that needs perimeter defense whenever the starters rest.

With Caitlin Clark‘s excitement for Gabriela Jaquez evident, it would not be a surprise if the Fever elects to take her over the other options at their disposal. However, they should also hope that other teams do not draft the newest women’s basketball champion before them.

Former President Barack Obama joins Caitlin Clark to congratulate UCLA

If Gabriela Jaquez joins Caitlin Clark at the Fever, she will also earn a significant salary as a rookie in the WNBA. But winning championships is something Clark has not experienced, but at least she wanted to congratulate the Bruins after they won the 2026 NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball title.

Not many care about the game as much as Coach Close … couldn’t be happier for her!! Congrats, UCLA WBB.

Caitlin Clark wrote on X

The 24-year-old knows all too well how good the Bruins’ head coach Cori Close has been, facing her team over the course of Caitlin Clark’s college career. That explains why she had this heartfelt message for them.

Congratulations to Lauren Betts and the sensational seniors at UCLA WBB for winning their first NCAA Championship!

Barack Obama wrote on X

This was former President Barack Obama‘s message to UCLA star center Lauren Betts and her teammates for bringing the NCAA Women’s Championship trophy for the first time to the Pauley Pavilion.

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