Sinclairity: UCLA women’s basketball could have a future star in freshman Somto Okafor
Freshman guard Somto Okafor holds the ball in triple threat while sophomore guard Bonnie Deas defends her. Okafor represented the Spanish national team at the FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket, where she was named the MVP.
(Kai Dizon/Assistant Photo editor)
By Sinclair Richman
Oct. 31, 2026 4:43 p.m.
How do you build a team from the ground up?
That’s the question coach Cori Close will have to figure out this season, as No. 11 UCLA women’s basketball’s top six scorers graduated after last season.
Of the five returners, only four saw court time in the 2025-26 season. Together, these players combined for just 10.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. And with sophomore guard Lena Bilić out for the season, the Bruins’ average will be just 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game returning to the court.
The 2026-27 women’s basketball lineup will see new players and new roles all around.
There are expectations for big names to step up, such as sophomore forward Sienna Betts – the younger sister of Lauren Betts, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft – senior forward Addy Brown and junior guard Elina Aarnisal...