As summer approaches and UCLA sports teams wrap up their respective seasons, members of the UCLA Radio Sports department will debrief who they believe are the most impactful Bruin players and coaches.
Max Magidin:
Favorite Player: Skyy Clark
My favorite player right now is Skyy Clark. Since transferring to UCLA in 2024, Clark has solidified himself as a true Bruin at heart who consistently puts his body on the line. Between his high motor, reliable three-point shooting, and incredibly unique style on the court, he brings an incredible energy to the game.
Despite what critics might say, the UCLA men’s basketball season was not entirely a disappointment, especially when you factor in just how strong the Big Ten was this year. Although Clark just entered the transfer portal, he was the heart and soul of the team across his two years in Westwood.
Favorite Coach: Adam Wright
On the coaching side, Adam Wright is hands-down my favorite. He is a serial winner who has established a true dynasty, creating absolute dominance within both the men’s and women’s water polo programs. His legacy at UCLA is staggering, having accumulated eight championships: six as the men’s head coach (2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2024, and 2025), one as the women’s head coach (2024), and one as a women’s assistant coach (2009).
While he has taken a break to improve his health this women’s water polo season, the culture he helped build is still thriving today. Under Interim Co-Head Coaches Jason Falitz and Matt Kubeck, the women’s team is currently sitting at an impressive 19-4 overall. They are riding a six-game win streak and are ranked 3rd in the latest late-March CWPA polls.
Jacob Mayer:
Favorite Player: Gabriela Jaquez
As I write this piece on the evening after UCLA women’s basketball took home the NCAA National Championship, I have to say Gabriela Jaquez is my favorite and most inspiring athlete at the moment. Today, she joined LeBron James’s performance in the 2020 NBA Finals as the only D1/Professional basketball player to have 25/10/5 and 1 or fewer turnovers in a title-clinching game in the past 30 years. Her entire season was exceptional, and I can’t wait to see what she’ll do in the WNBA.
Favorite Coach: Cori Close
I’m going to double-up her on women’s basketball because this tournament was just so exciting. What a journey for coach Cori Close as she adds UCLA women’s basketball’s first title while sitting on top of school history as the program’s winningest coach. For 15 years, she’s slowly turned this program from middle-of-the-pack to a constant contender after assembling and developing teams full of high draft picks. From bi-weekly meetings with John Wooden from the age of 22 to where she is now, Cori Close deserves all the accolades a coach can get, and I can’t wait to see how she develops the young team UCLA will field next year, as it’s graduating all of its starters in June.
RJ Nova:
Favorite Player: Roch Cholowsky
All the superlatives can be used to describe Roch Cholowsky. In a sport defined by great shortstops like Derek Jeter, some evaluators describe him as the best shortstop prospect in over 20 years. Currently, he stands as the #1 MLB draft prospect, with an impressive .336 batting average and 1.201 OPS to start the season. Beyond the bat, Cholowsky brings superior defense in the field, winning the Rawlings Gold Glove last year.
However, his contributions to UCLA baseball extend far beyond the box score. UCLA’s massive turnaround from a 19-win season two years ago to the College World Series last year had much to do with Cholowsky’s commitment to his team and winning. By leading goal meetings in the clubhouse where he sets team goals instead of individual ones, Cholowsky has cemented himself as the best player in baseball not just on the field, but off it too.
Favorite Coach: John Savage
Over 22 years, John Savage has built UCLA baseball to be a yearly contender, winning one national championship while producing a Golden Spikes Award winner, a #1 MLB draft pick, and 30 big leaguers. In a sport that so easily fluctuates from a year-to-year basis, he has managed to make the postseason in 14 of the last 20 seasons.
In contrast to UCLA’s football and basketball teams, perhaps Savage’s greatest ability is to recruit in his own backyard. Recently, Savage recruited Angel Cervantes, who was the #5 overall high school prospect in California. In over 21 seasons in Westwood, Savage has produced 130 MLB draft picks.
Clara Ramos:
Favorite Player: Lauren Betts
While Lauren Betts may not have kicked off her collegiate career at UCLA, since transferring in 2023, she has undeniably played an immense role in paving and solidifying UCLA women’s basketball legacy. The tallest player on the team, standing at 6 feet 7 inches, she shines both defensively and offensively.
Another reason Lauren Betts is my favorite player, statistics aside, is her genuine love for UCLA and pride in playing for the UCLA women’s basketball team. In a recent interview, she said transferring to UCLA was “one of the best decisions of her life,” praising the locker room and coach culture. I look forward to seeing where she is drafted in the WNBA 2026 draft and how that team will make use of her talents.
Favorite Coach: Janelle McDonald
Janelle McDonald, the UCLA Gymnastics head coach is my favorite coach at UCLA. Historically, UCLA has been a powerhouse in women’s gymnastics, its roster continually having elite names such as Madison Kocian, Kyla Ross, Christine Peng Peng Lee, and Jordan Chiles. McDonald assumed the role of head coach in 2022, after a short three-year term by Chris Waller, who resigned following multiple controversies, including hostile team culture.
McDonald had big shoes to fill, as the head coach prior to Chris Waller was legendary coach Valeria Kondos Field, who led UCLA to all its NCAA titles during her 29-year tenure. McDonald has done a phenomenal job at cultivating a welcoming and strong culture for the UCLA gymnastics team that also performs well during its meets. This year, UCLA gymnastics won the Big Ten regular season championship and at the time this is being written, the Bruins are headed to the NCAA Regional Final. Will McDonald lead UCLA Gymnastics to its first NCAA championship in 8 years? McDonald boasts potential to spearhead this feat.
Riya Roy:
Favorite Player: Kate Duffey
I appreciate Kate Duffey, who is UCLA women’s volleyball’s starting setter, because she represents the kind of athlete and setter I’ve always tried to be. Having played volleyball for so long and coached as well, I realized how important consistency, discipline, and reliability is in the sport. I feel like I understand the work and mindset behind that kind of presence, so it’s something I naturally respect and look up to.
Favorite Coach: Matt Werle
I also appreciate Coach Matt Werle because I really value structure, accountability, and intentional coaching. He’s coming into the program brand new, and has gained experience in the Kansas volleyball program. I think he may be able to introduce a new style of volleyball to UCLA’s west coast style of play. He seems like the type of coach who knows how to push athletes in a way that actually helps them grow, in order to build a much stronger team culture. Having faced big name opponents in volleyball, such as Nebraska, Werle can really have something fresh and new to offer to the women’s team.
