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 |
Kansas State 47, NC State 34, Kansas 26, Texas A&M 20, Iowa St. 18, Gonzaga 15, Duke 7, Nebraska 5, Miami 3, UNLV 2, Washington 2, Toledo 1, Oregon 1, Villanova 1, Arizona 1, are the other teams receiving votes.