UCLA women’s basketball team made its first appearance in the Final Four Friday against UConn, and it wasn’t the first time a Jaquez has donned the Bruins’ blue and gold on basketball’s big stage. Who is Gabriela’s brother?
Meet Gabriela Jaquez’s Brother, Former UCLA Star Jaime Jacquez Jr.
Last Sunday, No. 1 overall seed UCLA defeated third-seeded LSU, 72-65, to advance to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four for the first time in school history. Junior forward Gabriela Jaquez led the way with a team-high 18 points to go with eight rebounds and three steals.
Friday night, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, Jaquez and UCLA battled against Final Four veterans UConn. In the stands is another Jaquez who has reached this big stage before — Gabriela’s older brother Jaime.
Miami Heat player, @jaquez_jr is here supporting his sister @gabrielarj11 💙#MarchMadness x #WFinalFour x @UCLAWBB pic.twitter.com/tR1aIl9Hpo
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 5, 2025
Jaime Jaquez Jr. was a standout at UCLA from 2019-23, averaging 13.4 points and 6.3 rebounds over his career. He was a three-time All-Pac 12 selection, including the league’s Player of the Year as a senior in 2022-23, when he averaged 17.8 points and 8.2 rebounds and was also named a second-team All-American.
During Jaquez Jr.’s time in Los Angeles, the Bruins went 99-36 and reached three Sweet 16s (there was no tournament his freshman season due to COVID). They advanced to the Final Four his sophomore season, as the Bruins marched from the First Four to five straight wins to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Jaquez Jr. and UCLA went toe-to-toe with undefeated Gonzaga and looked to be headed to overtime when Jalen Suggs’ shot buzzer-beater just inside halfcourt went in for a 93-90 Bulldogs victory.
After graduating from UCLA, Jaquez Jr. was drafted 18th overall by the Miami Heat in the 2023 NBA Draft and finished fourth in the league’s 2023-24 Rookie of the Year voting behind the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama.
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The silky-smooth two-way player averaged 11.9 points and 3.8 rebounds as a rookie and is putting up similar numbers in his second season for the Heat.
Jaime Jr. and Gabriela’s parents, Jaime Sr. and Angela, met while playing basketball at Concordia University, so it only makes sense that their children continue the hardwood lineage today.
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