In the highly competitive world of college basketball recruiting, coaches often speak of developing a “player-led” program, but few have manifested this ethos as effectively as UCLA Women’s Basketball Head Coach Cori Close. As detailed in the recent article by Paul M. Banks, Close has engineered a dramatic resurgence in Westwood, not by outspending or out-hustling rivals, but by prioritizing authentic relationships and empowering her players to become the program’s most persuasive recruiters. Close, who recently guided the Bruins to their first-ever Final Four appearance, has created a culture where player buy-in drives success. The result is a team—currently 5-0 and ranked No. 3 in the nation—that is led by one of the most talented rosters in the country, anchored by consensus WNBA Draft favorite, center Lauren Betts.
The acquisition of Betts itself serves as a foundational example of Close’s persistence and relationship-first approach. Although Betts initially chose another path out of high school—a decision Close admitted “broke my heart” and was complicated by COVID-19 restrictions that prevented crucial campus visits—the coach maintained a genuine connection. This relationship had been forged, in part, during a USA Basketball United World Cup trip where Betts witnessed Close navigating an intensely personal struggle after the passing of her father. “I was just surviving, to be honest about it,” Close recalled. “And she was just amazing to me personally, let alone helping us win a gold medal.” It was this shared, human experience, more than any facility pitch, that provided the relational reference points making Betts’ eventual decision to transfer to UCLA a “pretty easy” transition.
Close sealed the transfer with a memorable, commitment-day promise: she would jump into water, fully clothed, if Betts committed. She followed through, and in doing so, inadvertently started a new program custom. As success began to breed more success, the tradition gained traction. The Betts commitment created a powerful snowball effect that extended to other high-profile recruits. When 5-star prospect Timea Gardiner transferred from Oregon State, Close not only jumped into the water again but brought Betts along with her. This act—and the culture it represented—signaled to incoming talent that this was a unified, player-centric program.
The peak of this player-led philosophy arrived with the recruitment of Lauren’s younger sister, Sienna Betts, who was ranked the No. 2 player in the 2025 class by ESPN. Initially, Sienna was resistant, feeling pressure to establish her own identity outside her sister’s shadow. “She was like, I’m not going there. My sister’s going there,” Close explained, requiring the coaching staff to carefully work through the complexities of sibling dynamics. However, the final, decisive move that brought Sienna to UCLA was orchestrated not by the coaching staff, but by the very player Sienna sought to avoid: Lauren.
During Sienna’s official campus visit, Lauren took the reins. She prepared and delivered an entire, emotional Microsoft PowerPoint presentation on Zoom, with their parents and even grandparents tuned in. This was not a coaching pitch; it was a heartfelt plea. Close described the moment as tears-inducing and deeply genuine, focused entirely on why Lauren wanted to share the UCLA experience with her sister, and why they needed to share it together. For Coach Close, it was the perfect “closing moment,” and an ultimate compliment to her star player’s investment in the program. “It was great to see her be the one to put it over the finish line,” Close said, cementing the idea that the players themselves are the program’s most effective recruiters.
This philosophy extends far beyond the recruiting trail. Close ensures her relationships remain paramount by meeting biweekly with Lauren Betts for coffee dates dedicated entirely to life, not basketball. “My most treasured time is truly the relational time,” Close stated, focusing on hearing her star’s heart and processing her growth as a young woman. By fostering this deep, authentic connection, Close empowers her leaders and builds a sense of loyalty and community that translates directly into wins on the court. With the Bruins now positioned as dominant Big Ten front-runners and strong national championship contenders, Close has proven that the key to recruiting the best talent isn’t about glossy pamphlets, but about the genuine, human relationships that make a program feel like home.
