Gabriela Jaquez is making her presence felt-and now the Big Ten is officially on notice.
On Monday, the UCLA senior guard/forward was named Big Ten Conference Player of the Week for the first time in her career. And if last week’s performances are any indication, it might not be her last.
Jaquez was at the center of two dominant UCLA wins, first dismantling Duke in the Players Era Women’s Championship tournament, then following it up with a statement game at home against No. 14 Tennessee. In both matchups, she didn’t just contribute-she took over.
Against Duke, Jaquez dropped 23 points in a game that showcased her ability to control tempo and attack from multiple levels. But it was her performance against Tennessee that turned heads.
She poured in a season-high 29 points, shooting a blistering 71.4% from the field and knocking down five of six from deep-good for an eye-popping 83%. That kind of efficiency doesn’t just happen.
It’s the result of a player who’s locked in, confident, and playing some of the best basketball of her career.
Through the early stretch of the season, Jaquez has emerged as the Bruins’ go-to scorer, leading the team with 15.6 points per game. She’s not just filling it up-she’s doing it efficiently.
Among Bruins with more than 10 shot attempts, she ranks second in field-goal percentage at 57.1%. And from long range?
She’s been lights out, hitting 48.6% of her threes-a mark that currently ranks 19th in the country.
But Jaquez isn’t just a scorer. She’s one of four Bruins averaging at least four rebounds per game, showing her willingness to get physical and contribute on the glass. That kind of versatility-scoring, rebounding, defending-makes her a matchup nightmare and a key reason why UCLA is off to such a strong start.
This honor marks the first Big Ten Player of the Week nod for any Bruin this season, and it’s a well-earned recognition for a player who’s doing it all on both ends of the floor. Jaquez is stepping into the spotlight, and if she keeps this up, the accolades won’t stop here.