In a stunning development for UCLA women’s basketball, the entire 2024 recruiting class has entered the transfer portal. The final player, Zania Socka-Nguemen, a five-star recruit from Sidwell Friends School who was invited to the 2024 Women’s Basketball U.S. team trials, announced her departure from the program on Wednesday, April 9.
This mass exodus comes at a perplexing time for the Bruins. Head coach Cori Close was recently named the 2025 USBWA Coach of the Year and the 2025 Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year. UCLA’s program also reached historic heights, advancing to its first Final Four in the NCAA era during the 2024-25 season.
UCLA’s Exodus: A Closer Look at the Mass Departure from the Final Four Bruins
The departing 2024 class includes not only Socka-Nguemen but also Elina Aarnisalo, Avary Cain, and Kendall Dudley. All four freshmen have now chosen to seek opportunities elsewhere after just one season with the Bruins. None of these players were starters during their time at UCLA, which likely contributed to their decision to transfer.
Zania Socka-Nguemen has entered the transfer portal, per Mike Regalado of the Daily Bruin. However, one tweet announcing the transfer is incorrectly attributed to Ira Gorawara of the same publication.
Zania Socka-Nguemen has entered the transfer portal, per Ira Gorawara of the Daily Bruin.
With her departure, every member of UCLA’s 2024 recruiting class is now in the portal. pic.twitter.com/KZME41e5T5
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) April 9, 2025
According to social media reactions, limited playing time appears to be a major factor in the players’ decisions. UCLA’s rotation was dominated by juniors, all of whom are returning, leaving little opportunity for the freshmen to crack the lineup for potentially two more years.
The situation is particularly noteworthy given UCLA’s recent transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten for the 2024-25 season. This move introduced new challenges, including tougher competition and longer travel distances, which may have added uncertainty for the freshmen about their roles.
What This Means for the Bruins’ Future
Despite the alarming status of losing an entire recruiting class, some observers suggest the immediate impact on UCLA’s performance may be minimal. None of the departing players were starters, and the program has already brought in veteran transfers like Janiah Barker from Texas A&M and Charlisse Leger-Walker from Washington State.
However, the mass departure raises questions about UCLA’s ability to develop freshmen and could potentially hurt future recruiting. Top prospects might hesitate to commit if they perceive UCLA as a program where freshmen don’t get opportunities or where players frequently leave.
RELATED: Kendall Dudley Transfer Portal — Top Landing Spots for UCLA Forward
UCLA’s recent roster history shows significant turnover beyond just the 2024 class. In April 2024, Christeen Iwuala transferred to Mississippi, Emily Bessoir left the program, and Lina Sontag retired from basketball. This pattern suggests potential underlying issues with team culture or player development.
For Coach Close, who has led the program since 2011 with considerable success, retaining the 2025 recruiting class, including committed player Lena Bilić, will be crucial. The program must address any underlying issues to prevent further instability and maintain its status as a top women’s basketball destination.
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