INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Mexican-American guard Gabriela Jaquez continues to make the most of her opportunities with the Chicago Sky. Her latest showing this past Sunday was a memorable one, as she recorded a career-high 20 points and eight rebounds vs. the Minnesota Lynx, a 86-79 win.
Selected by the Sky with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft out of UCLA, Jaquez brought energy on both ends of the floor, looking comfortable offensively while contributing valuable minutes for a young Chicago squad still finding its rhythm.
The stat line of 20 and eight reflected a breakout performance though the rookie’s journey to the WNBA though it began long before Jaquez ever became the marquee name she is now.
Picking up a basketball in third grade and then later attending Adolfo Camarillo High School in Camarillo, California, Jaquez quickly emerged as one of the top players in the state. During her senior season, she averaged 34.2 points and 15.7 rebounds per game while earning Ventura County Star Player of the Year honors.
Her standout high school career later earned her co-MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American Game alongside future UCLA teammate Kiki Rice.
During her time at Adolfo Camarillo, the rising star developed into a five-star recruit before committing to UCLA, a school Jaquez had once written down as part of her goals growing up and winning a championship, which she and the Bruins were able to accomplish this past April.
“I knew we were going to do it,” she said on the night UCLA won the 2026 National Championship. “Coming to UCLA, we all set out for a goal. I imagined this moment, I imagined it so many times and I’m just so so proud.”
Basketball also runs throughout the Jaquez family, as her brother Jaime Jaquez Jr., started at UCLA before continuing his career in the NBA with the Heat—selected by Miami with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Along with her success at UCLA, Gabriela also represented Mexico on the international stage, making her debut for the Mexico Women’s National Team during the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup pre-qualifiers.
She expressed how playing on such a stage and against top-tier competition helped her gain more experience throughout her basketball journey, stating “Playing at a really high level, they don’t call as many fouls, so having that experience to play in such a physical game has helped me.”
Gabriela Jaquez played for Mexico’s National Women’s Basketball Team in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup pre-qualifiers – Image Credit: FIBA
For the rookie, representing Mexico has become bigger than basketball. As one of the few Mexican players in the WNBA competing at the highest level of the sport, her journey continues to create visibility for young Latinas hoping to see themselves represented in the game.
“There’s not a lot of Mexicans playing basketball at a high level,” she said. “It means a lot that I can represent Mexican culture while playing basketball.”
Now with the Chicago Sky, Jaquez continues building on the goals she once wrote down as a young athlete. Following her recent career-high performance, the rookie guard is beginning to show why Chicago selected her fifth overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
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