On April 5, 2026, Chicago Sky guard Gabriela Jaquez celebrated a triumphant end to her collegiate career as an NCAA champion with the UCLA Bruins and Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Just eight days later, her name was called as the No. 5 overall pick at the WNBA draft.

For many athletes, the jump from competing in college to competing at the highest level professionally can feel daunting, but Jaquez navigated it with grace.

Now, as the WNBA season is in full swing, Jaquez has proved herself to be an important contributor to the Sky, averaging 7.6 points per game She has shown that the transition can be smooth with the right mindset.

When asked about the quick shift from college basketball to the WNBA, Jaquez acknowledged that it happened quickly, but she remained focused on the opportunity she was given.

“I think that obviously it was really quick, but I'm continuing to remind myself I'm living my dream,” Jaquez said. “This is what I've been working my whole life for—to win a national championship and then to be in the WNBA. There's been ups and downs, but I think that's what I expected, and I've just been having fun so far.”

“I'm continuing to remind myself I'm living my dream. This is what I've been working my whole life for—to win a national championship and then to be in the WNBA. There's been ups and downs, but I think that's what I expected, and I've just been having fun so far.”

Gabriela Jaquez

Her experience provides an important lesson in adaptability. Not every opportunity will turn out perfectly, but having the right mindset is essential. That perspective has been critical to her rookie season.

“I think it's really important to have a skill to adapt to new environments, and I think that's what teamwork is all about as well,” Jaquez said. “You're not going to be on the same team all the time.”

As she adapted to new environments, coaches and teammates, flexibility has allowed Jaquez to continue to develop her game. 

She also said her experience at UCLA prepared her well for the next level. As a Bruin, she played alongside other future WNBA players like Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic and Charlisse Leger-Walker. 

“I think that those girls really pushed me to be the best I could be. We all pushed each other,” Jaquez said. “We all were in the gym, and wanted to work hard. We all were working for the same goal of winning a national championship but also to improve ourselves as basketball players and as women now playing in the WNBA.”

Having experience playing alongside top players gave Jaquez a leg-up when entering the WNBA, but having confidence isn’t something that always comes naturally. Like most athletes, she has good and bad days, but following a routine helps her on those days she’s feeling less confident.

“You have your ups and downs of days, and some days you just wake up more confident than others,” Jaquez said. “I think that's a difficult thing, but I think just sticking to my routine is really important.”

For Jaquez, that routine means eating, taking a nap and getting ready after shootaround. Those habits can help her perform her best, proving that the mental side of the game needs nurturing in addition to the physical side.

One thing that also helps her is reminding herself of her preparation and remaining calm, even in high-stakes situations.

At the Final Four, she told herself, “It’s another game for me, you know what to do, you don’t need to get stressed, you’re prepared for the moment.”

Her journey from NCAA Champion to Chicago Sky guard happened in just over a week, and while it wasn’t always easy, adaptability, trusting her preparation and sticking to a routine have been key to her success.