Cori Close Archives - IX Sports

UCLA Bruins coach Cori Close instructs her team from the sidelines during a game.

Big Ten, Features, NCAAW

With new faces in new places, UCLA and USC add another chapter to storied rivalry

by David YapkowitzJanuary 5, 2026January 5, 2026

Both teams will play each other once more during the regular season.

UCLA freshman forward Sienna Betts calls for the ball while being defended by Cal Poly forward Nora Perez

Big Ten, Features, NCAAW

How Sienna Betts fared in her UCLA debut

by David YapkowitzDecember 17, 2025December 17, 2025

Lauren Betts: ‘I just felt super jolly’

Lauren Betts attempts a shot against a double team of UConn players in last year's Final Four.

Big Ten, Features, NCAAW

With the absence of Timea Gardiner and Sienna Betts, UCLA is rewriting its offense

by Cameron RubyDecember 2, 2025December 2, 2025

Cori Close: “If we can get the ball to Lauren, play with poise, and rebound, we’ll be okay’

UCLA center Lauren Betts walks off the floor during a Final Four game. She looks down at the court. Fans and the Final Four's "Four It All" slogan are visible but out of focus in the background.

Big Ten, Features, NCAAW

How Lauren Betts’ development helps her WNBA draft stock

by David YapkowitzNovember 30, 2025November 30, 2025

There’s no doubt that the Bruins’ star center will be a lottery pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft

UCLA guard Gianna Kneepkens looks to make a pass while being defended by UCSB guard Skylar Burke.

Big Ten, Features, NCAAW

How Gianna Kneepkens is fitting in at UCLA

by David YapkowitzNovember 9, 2025November 9, 2025

The transfer guard has added to the Bruins’ talented roster

Two photos of Kaitlyn Chen are displayed side-by-side. At left, she holds the 2024 Ivy League Tournament trophy, which is a large wooden trophy with a gold ball on top. At right, she stands on a ladder and holds up a piece of the net that she cut after winning a national championship.

Features, Mid-Majors, NCAAW

How impactful have recent Ivy League graduate transfers been outside the conference?

by Jenn HatfieldMay 8, 2025May 8, 2025

Nearly 40 Ivy Leaguers whose careers were interrupted by COVID-19 transferred to play as grad students

UCLA center Lauren Betts walks off the floor during a Final Four game. She looks down at the court. Fans and the Final Four's "Four It All" slogan are visible but out of focus in the background.

Big Ten, Features, Latest News, NCAAW

UCLA prepares for next step after dream season ends in the Final Four

by Bella MunsonApril 6, 2025April 6, 2025

Cori Close: ‘Experience is such a powerful teacher, if you allow it to’

Photo of a March Madness-branded basketball on a basketball court.

Features, NCAAW

Final Four notebook: Charlie Baker addresses the media, Rori Harmon undecided on WNBA Draft

by Kathleen GierApril 5, 2025April 5, 2025

Plus, Cori Close reflects on UCLA history and Shay Holle leaves winning legacy at Texas

UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close (left), center Lauren Betts (center) and guard Kiki Rice during press conference at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. on April 3, 2025.

Big Ten, Features, Latest News, NCAAW

How focusing on life outside of basketball made Lauren Betts even better on the court

by Bella MunsonApril 4, 2025April 4, 2025

Close: ‘I feel like there’s a lightness about her that didn’t exist before’

Players hold the ball and play on the court in the middle of Elite Eight games

Features, Locked On Women's Basketball, NCAAW, Podcasts

Locked On Women’s Basketball: Final Four preview

by The IX BasketballApril 4, 2025April 4, 2025

Baker: ‘We can’t ignore what Paige Bueckers has been doing’