Breakdown of the UCLA women’s basketball roster – Daily News

The No. 5 women’s basketball team at UCLA has revamped itself by landing one of the nation’s top freshman classes and entering the transfer portal — and some of these players could make an immediate impact.

Here’s a look at the Bruins roster as they travel to Paris for a season-opening game against Louisville on Monday.

The returners

The Bruins return a proven junior class that includes point guard Kiki Rice, guards Londynn Jones and Gabriela Jaquez and 6-foot-4 center Lauren Betts.

Betts, a transfer from UCLA last season, has a presence in the post that is difficult for opponents to guard and quickly became the team’s leading scorer and rebounder with 14.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

The remaining three returning juniors have spent their entire college careers at UCLA and have chemistry that translates to production on the court.

“They have all had their own areas, but most importantly the class has remained committed to growth, work ethic and access to the gym,” Bruins head coach Cori Close said. “If I felt any pressure it was just to help them be the best they can be because they really committed themselves at a high level.”

Rice led the team with 152 assists last season and was the third-leading scorer at 13.2 points per game. Jones shot 36.6% from 3-point range and Jaquez provided a spark off the bench, eventually working his way into the starting lineup.

The freshmen

According to ESPN, UCLA brought in the fourth-largest recruiting class in the country.

Kendall Dudley, the No. 18 national recruit, played high school basketball with Rice at Sidwell Friends in Washington, D.C., and is a forward whose speed and decision-making could earn her early playing time.

Avary Cain, a 6-foot-1 guard, averaged 21.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game in her senior season at St. Joseph’s in Santa Maria. Zania Socka-Nguemen, another Sidwell Friends product, is a 6-footer who can help protect the rim.

The Bruins add some international flair with Elina Aarnisalo, a native of Helsinki, Finland. She has seen reps at point guard in practice and has shown Close her potential.

“She will have a big impact and get a lot of time right away,” Close said of Aarnisalo.

The transfers

Junior forward Janiah Barker, graduate guard Charlisse Leger-Walker and junior forward Timea Gardiner arrived through the transfer portal.

A native of New Zealand, Leger-Walker suffered an ACL tear in late January while playing for Washington State and is still recovering from reconstructive surgery. Close did not put a timetable on the 6-foot-4 guard’s return, but did tell reporters she is not rushing the recovery process.