UCLA WBB: The Bruins are ranked No. 5 in the AP Preseason Poll

In the preseason AP Poll, the UCLA women’s basketball team is ranked fourth.

This year, head coach Cori Close built a group that includes both skilled underclassmen and seasoned veterans. Guard Charisma Osborne, who is back for her fifth season, is a significant factor in the top ranking. She led the Bruins in scoring and rebounds the previous season.

Additionally returning for the Bruins are the forwards Angela Dugalic, Emily Bessoir, Izzy Anstey, Lina Sontag, and guard Camryn Brown. Additionally, they gain Lauren Betts, the top recruit in the country in 2022 and a transfer from Stanford. Additionally, they gain strength in the front court with the addition of 4-star freshman forward Amanda Muse to Westwood.

The sophomore years of guards Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Londynn Jones, and forward Christeen Iwuala, all of whom were key for UCLA last season, will also be helpful. Last year, Rice ranked second in scoring and third in rebounds.

Six teams make up the first Top 25, including UCLA. No. 5 Utah, No. 15 Stanford, No. 20 Colorado, No. 21 USC, and No. 24 Washington State are all ranked ahead of the Bruins.

Preseason AP Poll

1	LSU (35)	899
2	UConn (1)	855
3	Iowa	780
4	UCLA	757
5	Utah	742
6	South Carolina	713
7	Ohio State	711
8	Virginia Tech	661
9	Indiana	625
10	Notre Dame	546
11	Tennessee	540
12	Ole Miss	450
13	Texas	428
14	Maryland	392
15	Stanford	389
16	North Carolina	375
17	Louisville	308
18	Florida State	292
19	Baylor	268
20	Colorado	257
21	Southern California	209
22	Creighton	123
23	Illinois	82
24	Washington State	61
25	Mississippi State	54