Advertisement

UCLA women’s basketball team copes with fear, uncertainty during fire threat

UCLA coach Cori Close, center, instructs her team during a timeout against Nebraska on Dec. 29.
Said UCLA coach Cori Close of dealing with her players during the devastation and anxiety surrounding the wildfires in L.A.: “I wish I could protect them all and put them in a little bubble, but I can’t.”
(Christina House / Los Angeles Times )

Like many Angelenos, the UCLA women’s basketball team is dealing with the catastrophic toll of the massive wildfires this past week — a firestorm inching perilously closer to home.

Just seven miles west of Pauley Pavilion, the Palisades fire rages, prompting the evacuation of nearby Brentwood on Saturday and steadily advancing toward campus.

“I wish we weren’t having to go through it,” coach Cori Close said. “I’m devastated by some of the hurt that people are experiencing right now and the devastation to our city.”

Advertisement

At one point, the blaze encroached upon the homes of Close and assistant Tony Newnan, who live near the edge of the fire zone. Fortunately, Close said Friday none of the athletes or other coaches had homes in immediate danger.

With gratitude comes a profound tinge of guilt in knowing the hardships others have endured — the ravaging of more than 20,000 acres and displacement of tens of thousands.

Lauren Betts finished with 17 points and seven rebounds as No. 1 UCLA never trailed in a rout at Purdue.

“It’s almost like you don’t even want to say it because you know so many people have it so much worse, but we’ve been very fortunate,” Close said.

Advertisement

The Bruins must balance their status as the nation’s No. 1-ranked team while confronting real-world hardship beyond the court and the university’s protective walls.

The past few days have been extremely difficult for everyone as the program works to stay focused on basketball. For the out-of-state players who make up most of the Bruins’ roster, their first experience with a wildfire is the most destructive in Los Angeles County history.

Since the fires began, coaches have given players space to process the unfolding events while conducting nightly check-ins to ensure safety.

Advertisement

Compartmentalizing the dread and disarray offers a lesson that Close says teaches “how to be the best version of ourselves in the face of extreme adversity.”

“One of the reasons this experience is so valuable is because this won’t be the last difficult thing they have in their lives,” she added. “I wish it was. I wish I could protect them all and put them in a little bubble, but I can’t.”

After returning home from their decisive win at Purdue on Tuesday — the same day the initial blazes ignited — the players took two days off from practice. They had faced uncertainty about what they would return to following a long flight home from Indiana. Two donors traveling with the program faced a deeper fear, grappling with the reality that their home in the fire zone might not withstand the flames — a fear later confirmed.

“We got off the plane, and our players knew that [the home] was at risk, and they just went and engulfed them and hugged them,” Close said, nearly choking up. “That’s what Bruins do. We show up for each other.”

Cori Close credits much of the success she has had as the winningest coach in UCLA women’s basketball history to the lessons she learned from John Wooden.

The following day, players including Gabriela Jaquez and Kiki Rice continued attending classes while the campus remained shrouded in an orange haze, with ash and smoke filling the air as the Palisades fire burned miles away.

UCLA eventually canceled undergraduate classes and moved graduate classes online for the rest of the week, leaving the players with one full day off before returning to practice.

Advertisement

For Jaquez, who grew up in Camarillo, an hour’s drive from Pacific Palisades, wildfires are a sad reality she’s long been familiar with and witnessed firsthand.

“We feel very sorry, and it’s so sad, so tragic,” Jaquez said. “Being from Southern California and having dealt with plenty of fires in the past, I feel like I found a way to handle it.”

For Rice, a native of Washington, D.C., where wildfires are nearly nonexistent, encountering such devastation is new. She is one of nine players from outside California witnessing the decimation.

“This is obviously so devastating, just how close it is to us,” Rice said. “Just seeing a lot of people close to this program have lost homes and a lot of stuff in these fires.”

While many players are grateful for basketball as a distraction, Close noted that others are wrestling with the anxiety of facing a wildfire.

“One of our players said in film, ‘Intellectually, I’m OK, but it’s sort of like being in Kansas for the first time and having there be a tornado,’” Close said. “‘You know it’s far away, but you’ve still never experienced that, so it’s still so scary.’”

Advertisement

Close reassured the parents of out-of-state players that their children are safe. At the same time, she and her staff are managing the well-being of their own families.

Coverage of the fires ravaging Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Pasadena, including stories about the devastation, issues firefighters faced and the weather.

Friday’s return to practice brought solace as the players refocused on maintaining their No. 1 ranking.

“We still get to play the sport we love,” Close said. “Just because there’s so much hurt going on right now and difficulty doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still find joy in playing this game that we love and be committed to that.”

Close is well versed in leading through adversity as she demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing their success while the city burns around them is no different.

“This is what we do,” she said. “We find a way. We can’t control this, but this is what we know how to do. We know how to lead through this. … I also believe our players are well equipped.”

Close takes pride in how her squad pivots to unexpected challenges and perseveres. The hope is that when the team takes the court, it will emerge as a squad forged in fire.

Advertisement

However, their next game is delayed slightly, now tentatively set for Wednesday at home against Penn State. Despite her best efforts to prepare for a Sunday matchup against Northwestern, the Wildcats decided not to travel to L.A. because of the fires. The Big Ten Conference announced that the game will be rescheduled.

It’s one of many sporting events disrupted by the wildfires. When the Bruins play their next game, it will provide a much-needed sense of normalcy. Just as Close has faith in its impact on her players, she believes L.A. eventually will regain normalcy.

“What’s happening in our city is just overwhelming,” Close said. “But I’m also so confident in the city’s resilience. Its unity. Its find-a-way mentality. I just know Angelenos are going to find a way to come back stronger.”

Advertisement
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top