Gianna Kneepkens went from long shot to sure shot for No. 4 UCLA

LOS ANGELES — Gianna Kneepkens was at the top of Cori Close’s wish list.

Close had no spots on the roster available at the time of Kneepkens’ entrance in the transfer portal. But the Bruins’ coach also knew that the chances of her keeping her team fully intact was “slim to none.”

“I just want you to know that if we had a spot, you would be our top priority,” Close said she told Kneepkens. “And I don’t even think she believed that we would have (a roster spot).”

But as the transfer portal went during the 2025 offseason...