After winning a national championship with UCLA women’s basketball in April, Gabriela Jaquez has officially made her WNBA career debut with the Chicago Sky.
The Sky has quickly shown their trust in Jaquez’s abilities by drafting her with the No. 5 overall pick and including her in the starting lineup in the season opener on Saturday. Chicago ultimately defeated the Portland Fire 98-83 on the road to open their 2026 season.
Jaquez contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals across 32 minutes.
ALL GAS GABS ⛽️@RevBrewChicago | #skytown pic.twitter.com/oNaZ8VPtWd
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) May 10, 2026
Jaquez’s next game will be against the Golden State Valkyries on Monday. She and the Sky will have three more road games before making her home debut at the Wintrust Arena against the Dallas Wings on May 20.
Five Other Bruins Made WNBA Debuts on Thursday
Jaquez was the sixth Bruin to make her WNBA career debut this week. On Thursday, five of her former UCLA teammates made their debuts with three different WNBA franchises.
Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalić debuted with the Washington Mystics in a game against Kiki Rice and the Toronto Tempo. The Mystics came out on top, winning the season opener 68-65.
May 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Tempo guard Kiki Rice (1) dribbles against Washington Mystics guard Georgia Amoore (8) during the fourth quarter at Coke Cola Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker made their debuts with the Connecticut Sun against the New York Liberty. The Sun lost to the Liberty 106-75.
Jaquez was the only Bruin of the six rookies to start in the season opening game with her team.
May 9, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Chicago Sky guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) shoots the ball over Portland Fire guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (3) in the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
Photo Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
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