The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team is gearing up for an exciting new season, and head coach Cori Close is at the helm, ready to take on the challenge of reloading a championship-winning roster. With a focus on process over outcome, Close is emphasizing the importance of every aspect of the game, from screening and rebounding to defense and teamwork. This approach is a refreshing change from the typical 'win-at-all-costs' mentality, and it's one that I, as a basketball enthusiast, find particularly fascinating.
What makes this team unique is the way Close has approached the off-season. Instead of simply focusing on recruiting and training, she has also prioritized mental health and well-being. This is where the concept of an 'art project' comes into play. Close is not just building a team, but a community, and she's doing it with a focus on the process, not just the outcome.
One of the key players in this 'art project' is Sienna Betts, a returning scorer who has already started to step into her new role. Betts is focused on her shooting and getting used to having the ball in her hands more, and she's off to a great start. Similarly, Elina Aarnisalo, a junior guard, is back and ready to take on a new challenge. She's working on her confidence and attacking the basket, and she's already making a difference.
But it's not just about the individual players. Close has also brought in a host of new talent, including Donovyn Hunter from TCU, KK Bransford from Notre Dame, and Addy Brown from Iowa State. These players are not just talented, but they're also committed to the process, and that's what makes this team so exciting.
What makes this team particularly fascinating is the way Close has approached the mental health of her players. She's brought in Tasha Brown, a former assistant coach, as the team's mental performance coach. Brown has built out the Mind Gym at UCLA, conducting individual meetings, group sessions, and in-game reset routines. This focus on mental health is a refreshing change from the typical approach, and it's one that I, as a basketball enthusiast, find particularly inspiring.
In my opinion, the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team is not just a group of talented athletes, but a community of individuals who are committed to the process of winning. They're not just trying to repeat a championship outcome, but a championship process, and that's what makes them so exciting. As a basketball fan, I can't wait to see what they do this season, and I'm sure they'll make some 'remember whens' along the way.
