Gabriela Jaquez's Journey: Inspired by Her Brother, She Leads UCLA to the Final Four

In 2021, Gabriela Jaquez was present to cheer on her older brother as he led the UCLA Bruins into the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

Her sibling Jaime, currently playing for the Miami Heat, ought to manage returning the favor. Gabriela Jaquez guided the Bruins past UCLA with a win over LSU in the Elite Eight on Saturday.

They will be up against either UConn or USC in the final this weekend in Tampa, making it an easy trip by car or plane for her brother from Miami.

I’m simply overwhelmed with pride for both my teammates and our entire coaching staff," stated Gabriela Jaquez. "Throughout the early part of the spring and into the summer, we put in an immense amount of effort throughout the season. It’s incredible how dedicated each person has been. Our coaches provided us with excellent strategic insights which greatly contributed to our success. Watching my brother play back in 2021 further fueled my desire to excel at this collegiate level. This experience has only intensified my passion. Therefore, I am extremely proud of what we’ve achieved as a team, and I can’t wait to see where this excitement leads us next.

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Gabriela scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds, guiding the Bruins past LSU in the Elite Eight. This achievement marks UCLA’s first advancement to the Final Four.

Gabriela Jaquez hit the decisive three-point shot with just 1:28 remaining on the clock. This gave UCLA a lead of 62-53. Following her crucial basket, the Bruins secured their win with a final score of 72-65. As a result, they will advance to the Final Four in Tampa where they will compete against either USC or UConn.

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The article was initially posted on www.si.com/nba/heat as Gabriela Jaquez Drew Motivation From Her Brother to Guide UCLA Into the Final Four .

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