UCLA Honors Cori Close with 2026 John Wooden Global Leadership Award

Close, who has helmed the UCLA women's basketball program since 2011, earned the distinction following a historic 2026 campaign that saw her team secure a 37–1 record and the program's first NCAA championship. Beyond the court, the recognition highlights her role in developing student-athletes through a values-based approach she refined during her long-standing mentorship with Wooden, which began when she joined his staff in 1993.

During a conversation with Target executive chair Brian Cornell, Close emphasized that her coaching success stems from creating an environment where players feel safe and empowered. Dean Gareth James noted that the selection reflects Wooden's core belief that leadership is defined by the impact one has on others. The gala also honored six new and former John Wooden Leadership Fellows, each receiving $35,000 to support their studies at the university.