Here's the postgame presser from today's Elite 8 matchup. Coach Close was joined by Jaquez, Betts, and Gardiner. I'm always impressed with Close's humility and putting things into perspective. She has grown as a coach, and remains thankful for where she is in the profession.
I love that she opened up her remarks with a shoutout to the WBB alums who were in the crowd today. And Coach Close rightfully countered the narrative that this is UCLA's first Final Four. She directly said that that's wrong, because UCLA won a natty and played in 2 Final Fours in the pre-NCAA era (the NCAA was men-only until 1982 when they completed a hostile takeover of women's athletics and supplanted the AIAW). And thanked 3X All-American Denise Curry and the other WBB alums from that era that were at the game today.
The young women on this team are great ambassadors for the university. They've been proving the doubters wrong all season. Glad to see the team getting notice.
Great article from CBS Sports reiterating that this is not UCLA WBB's first Final Four. Coach Close pointing out that the Bruin women have two retired numbers hanging from the rafters at Pauley (Ann Meyers and Denise Curry), and both of them played on the Bruins' 1978 national championship team and both of them are season ticket holders.
Coach Close received texts yesterday morning from both Meyers and Curry. And Curry was in attendance along with other members of the Bruins' other two Final Four teams. So, Close's reminder at the press conference of UCLA's other Final Four teams was for the WBB alums who made the trek to Spokane.
The article also points out that the annual award for the top shooting guard is named after Ann Meyers, and that Meyers nearly had a quadruple double in the national championship game (1 assist and 2 steals short).
Coach Close and the student athletes are doing an amazing job representing UCLA in post-game pressers, as well as in life. Glad to be reminded of how well Ann Meyers-Drysdale and Curry fit the program, complete winners. Huge amount of respect and admiration.
