From UCLA to Chicago: Gabriela Jaquez gets taken by the Chicago Sky

Back-to-back UCLA Bruins off the board. After Lauren Betts went off the board fourth overall, Gabriela Jaquez was selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky following a heroic showing in the NCAA championship game.

Jaquez was the Bruins best player in UCLA’s win over South Carolina to capture a national title, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. It was fitting for the do-it-all wing player, who can impact a game in ways that don’t always translate to a box score.

Another thing Jaquez has showed, is that she just keeps on getting better. Jaquez shot a career-high 54% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. If Jaquez’s jumper can maintain that efficiency at the professional level, she’ll be a dream fit for the new-look Sky team.

Jaquez’s scoring isn’t her calling card, but the experienced Jaquez is a timely rebounder and a terrific cutter, doing a lot of things to help offense flow, even when she’s off the ball.

It’s been a busy offseason for the Sky, most notably trading forward Angel Reese, but Chicago has center Kamilla Cardoso, forward Rickea Jackson and guard Skylar Diggins. With those three on the roster, it allows Jaquez to excel in her role rather than being forced to become a primary scorer right off the bat in the WNBA.

Jaquez capped off an inspirational UCLA career with a national title, now she’ll look to become a champion again in the WNBA.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: NCAA title game hero Gabriela Jaquez drafted by the Chicago Sky