Cori Close joined the UCLA Bruins in 2011 as a first-time head coach. While her head coaching record was always outstanding, the last two years have completely changed the program, with Close winning multiple coach of the year honors and the Bruins making deep NCAA Tournament runs.
Today, she won her first National Championship against the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Bruins completely dominated on both ends against one of the best teams in the country. They registered a blowout, 79-51 win.
This was also UCLA’s first-ever national title, making the victory even more special for Close. The 54-year-old head coach has now etched her name in college basketball history books, and she’s being rightfully praised for it.
Reactions have been pouring in on social media, from players and analysts to legends; everyone has nothing but wonderful things to say about the Bruins. Here are some of the most notable reactions.
Caitlin Clark
WNBA superstar and former Iowa Hawkeyes point guard took to X to congratulate Close on this remarkable achievement.
“Not many care about the game as much as Coach Close … couldn’t be happier for her!! Congrats @UCLAWBB,” she wrote.
A’ja Wilson
Former South Carolina Gamecocks star A’ja Wilson was heartbroken after Dawn Staley and Co. lost the final to the Bruins.
“eYEAA still lovin my cocks,” she posted on Threads.
Stephen A. Smith
The media veteran stated that he expected the Bruins to win, but he didn’t expect them to thrash the Gamecocks like they did today. Stephen A. Smith made multiple posts about the game, shocked over what unfolded at the PHX Arena.
“Good Lord. I expected @GamecockWBB to lose — just thought @UCLAWBB would be entirely too big for them — but I certainly did not expect this kind of beatdown. 60-30 in the 3rd QT? Damn! UCLA just seemed more composed, more ready for the moment, plus bigger and more physical. Damn impressive!” he WROTE.
Later, Stephen A. made another post, congratulating Cori Close and the Bruins on a spectacular win.
“Congrats to @CoachCoriClose, @laurenbetts12 and @UCLAWBB, winning the Nat’l Title. Every time I talked to them this year that’s all they talked about. Nothing else mattered. And now they’ve closed the deal, swarming @GamecockWBB in a way I never imagined, never saw coming. Again, Congrats. So well deserved.”
Shannon Sharpe
NFL legend Shannon Sharpe was disappointed with the way the Gamecocks performed today. He outlined several missed layups in his post.
“Damn lady Gamecocks how many easy layups are you going 2 miss,” he wrote.
Magic Johnson
NBA legend Magic Johnson took to X to congratulate the UCLA Bruins, their defense, and head coach Cori Close.
“The true key to victory was UCLA’s suffocating defense which took South Carolina out of everything offensively. Give Coach Cori Close and her coaching staff credit on a great game plan and shoutout to the team for executing the game plan to perfection!” he wrote.
Barack Obama
Former President Barack Obama has been a lifelong basketball fan. After UCLA’s victory, he congratulated Lauren Betts and the Bruins on X.
“Congratulations to Lauren Betts and the sensational seniors at @UCLAWBB for winning their first NCAA Championship!” he wrote.
There are countless other congratulatory posts on social media for the Bruins. The biggest shock of the night, however, was that the South Carolina Gamecocks were unrecognizable on the floor. A blowout loss in the National Championship game is going to haunt them for a long time.
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