LOS ANGELES — UCLA alumnus and current Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada slipped in between players to receive passes and drove to open spots to dish the ball to scout team players.

The former Windward High star had returned to Mo Ostin Center to get some offseason work in and help prepare the No. 5 Bruins for their matchup this afternoon against No. 1 South Carolina, which was announced as a Pauley Pavilion sellout Friday.

“Her and Charisma (Osborne) and Kennedy Burke have all asked to come back and practice with us,” coach Cori Close said of her former players who have moved on to the WNBA.

“What a great thing for our current players to be able to see the legacy.”

Canada’s return is a testament to the connections that have continuously built that legacy. The Bruins have added many pieces to their roster this season, but the group appears to be meshing in a 4-0 start to the season.

Today’s game against the top team in the country could galvanize the new-look Bruins and prepare them for their inaugural Big Ten Conference season.

Freshman Elina Aarnisalo, who came to UCLA from Finland, has started at point guard in every game this season in place of Kiki Rice, who has been out due to injury. Close did not have an update as to whether Rice would start or play against the defending national champions, but players are confident with either point guard on the floor.

“They’re both really good point guards,” Bruins center Lauren Betts said. “Kiki’s a scorer at the day. She’s gonna get hers, she’s gonna get to the rim. That’s what she wants to do. E’s more of a pass-first type of point guard. And she’s got an insane basketball IQ. I love playing with both of them.”

UCLA and South Carolina (5-0) are two of the top rebounding teams in the country.