From UCLA's national championship glory to the WNBA hardwood, Gabriela Jaquez is already making waves. The Chicago Sky didn't waste any time showing their faith in the rookie, selecting her with the No. 5 overall pick and immediately slotting her into the starting lineup for the season opener against the Portland Fire.

And Jaquez delivered. In her professional debut on Saturday, she logged 32 minutes and stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, helping the Sky secure a commanding 98-83 road victory. It's the kind of all-around performance that earned her the nickname "All Gas Gabs" during her college days.

The former Bruin is just getting started. Her next test comes Monday against the Golden State Valkyries, followed by a three-game road stretch before she finally makes her home debut at Wintrust Arena on May 20 against the Dallas Wings.

Jaquez isn't the only UCLA standout making the leap. She was one of six Bruins to make their WNBA debut this week, though she was the only one to earn a starting nod in her team's opener. On Thursday, five former teammates debuted across three different franchises: Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalić helped the Washington Mystics edge out Kiki Rice and the Toronto Tempo 68-65, while Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker saw action for the Connecticut Sun in a 106-75 loss to the New York Liberty.

For Jaquez, it's a seamless transition from cutting down nets in April to competing at the game's highest level—and the Sky are already reaping the rewards.