Ankles are taped and laces are knotted. The squeaks of sneakers cut through the clapping, counting and communication that echo across the court inside the Mo Ostin Basketball Center.

UCLA women's basketball finished its first full week of practice on the Ann Meyers Drysdale Court with the same mission as always: get better every day. Meyers' name on the court is a reminder to a new squad of the program's history and past success.

The five returners from UCLA's 2025-26 NCAA championship-winning team don't need to look nearly that far back in the history book to know what winning looks like.

They only need to listen to UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, who has taken pride in giving the university's initials a new meaning: University of Champions, Los Angeles.

"Coach Cori Close and her team uplifted the spirit of the entire Bruin community," Frenk said. "Their championship was a remarkable achievement, and we look forward to supporting them as they begin a new season and pursue new aspirations."

That anticipation extends to new CEO and Director of Athletics Tim Harris, who brings more than three decades of experience in sports and business leadership, including with the Los Angeles Lakers, to his role.

"There is tremendous excitement for the start of women's basketball season," Harris said. "Last season was historic, and we can't wait to support Coach Close and our student-athletes as they begin the next chapter for UCLA women's basketball."

Carrying the torch

With that excitement building outside the Mo Ostin Center for the return of the Bruins, the team continued the grinding, hard work of the preseason.

"I've learned a lot about myself, a lot about building my confidence, and just the way we do things here," said senior Amanda Muse when asked about the lessons she took from the 2026 graduating class. "How we work out every day, how we do all the extra things, and truly just carrying the torch forward and continuing the standard of excellence that they laid out for us."

Muse fought through a scout team player's foul for an "and-one" after an offensive rebound that drew an explosion of praise from her teammates. She is one of the biggest cheerleaders on the court, quick to high-five her fellow Bruins, and she stands near the baseline to call out when time is running down during shot-clock drills.

"Our team chemistry is really great," she said. "We're great at connecting off the court, and that shows on the court. It's been really fun to play together and build with each other so far."

Then there is the other side of Muse. The center is a fierce competitor. She plays suffocating defense against sophomore Arkansas transfer Bonnie Deas in a guard-versus-post drill. Muse blocks Deas in their second meeting inside the arc, then flexes toward the other post players after swatting the fadeaway. The posts win the drill, but freshman Somto Okafor knocks down a pair of free throws to redeem the guards - and save them from sprints.

Everyone starts 0-0

Okafor, one of seven newcomers, arrived at UCLA after capturing her second consecutive gold medal with Spain this summer at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket and is adjusting quickly to collegiate life. Her MVP from the international tournament is a nice trophy, but it means little heading into her first season with the Bruins.

Everyone is 0-0 again to start the season, regardless of the medals and trophies that anyone may have collected from tournaments past.

Okafor's explosive athleticism impresses the strength and conditioning coaches and teammates alike; her high basketball IQ, rebounding ability and three-point splashes help the young Bruin earn the respect of everyone inside the practice facility.

Another freshman, Serbian guard Lina Jerković, gets her own introduction to UCLA's championship standard after a five-on-five drill that ends with her needing to make two free throws.

The problem? The blue-and-gold only rebounded 44% of their missed shots. Associate head coach Tony Newnan tells the Bruins that number could make them a top 10 or top 20 rebounding team for the year, but the standard in this gym is higher. To reach the team's goals, he tells them, championship numbers require the Bruins to track down 48% of their offensive misses.

Jerković makes one of her two free throws.

"Guards, grab a ball!" Newnan shouts.

Twenty-two seconds later, all 12 Bruins have completed a full-speed down-and-back drill by touching each baseline.

Chasing what's next

Last season's championship doesn't lower this season's standard.

Senior Addy Brown stays after practice for some individual work with assistant coach James Clark. Brown joins the Bruins after three seasons at Iowa State, and she's looking forward to being a part of the winning tradition in Westwood.

"I am a competitor at the end of the day," Brown said about her decision to play at UCLA. "I really just want to win, and UCLA has shown that they win at the highest levels."

The senior forward also has an eye on what could come next. The Bruins set two WNBA draft records in 2026, with five players selected in the first round and six chosen overall.

"Being able to get to the next level, that's always been a dream of mine," Brown said. "No staff has a better player development team than UCLA. All the coaches are just super-competitive, and they're going to do whatever it takes to win. That's what I want to be a part of."

Close, the Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach, welcomed the UCLA Marching Band into the practice facility on the first day of official practice, a tradition that connects the team to campus at the beginning of each year.

"We are just committed to being the best versions of ourselves," Close said to the more than 150 musicians and cheer team members who surrounded the court. "And we want to create more memories into March and April with all of you. The only way we do that is to chase edges, get better and place our bricks in the perfect place. That all starts today."

The Bruins have two weeks remaining before their first exhibition game. There are new faces and different roles, but they look to keep building the winning habits that they hope will lead them back to the mountaintop.

Relive the the Bruins' 2025-26 NCAA championship run

► History made: UCLA women's basketball team wins NCAA championship

► The champions come home: Bruins celebrate historic NCAA title at Pauley

► UCLA women's basketball defeats Texas, heads to national championship

► Gabriela Jaquez: The Road to the Final Four

► 'The best versions of yourself': Bruins gear up for Final Four

► Bruins return to the Final Four after Elite Eight win over Duke