Some of the top-viewed videos include a trip to the batting cage with UCLA softball player Megan Grant and a journey through her ACL injury recovery. She also has an eight-part series in which she teaches roommate and teammate Gianna Kneepkens how to dance.

Leger-Walker and Kneepkens are among multiple players on the team who are projected to play in the WNBA.

“It was just kind of intentional focus when I came to UCLA,” said Leger-Walker, a New Zealand native who transferred from Washington State after the 2023-24 season and didn’t play last season because of her knee injury. “I wanted to take advantage of the resources that we have here.

“It’s also been a way to have the fun and the balance of enjoying time with each other and doing different things outside of basketball, knowing that basketball is the main thing. But it’s just been a fun way for me to connect, especially with my teammates, and make them do some fun, cool things along the way too.”

The Bruins are no strangers to dancing. Leger-Walker, Lauren Betts and Jaquez all performed with the UCLA dance team at a men’s basketball game — which is, of course, documented on Leger-Walker’s YouTube channel.

There are also the mini dance parties that happen just before game tip-offs, and former UCLA gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos-Field taught the team choreography in 2024.

Serious business opportunities can form as a result of the choreography and social media play.

College athletes have started to curate their own personal brands ever since the inception of name, image and likeness deals. LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson sets the standard for women’s basketball players with her NIL valuation of $1.5 million, and major brands are working with players across the NCAA.

Betts has partnerships with Venmo, Sprouts and NYX Cosmetics, for example, and Kiki Rice has linked up with Neutrogena, CVS and Command strips. Jaquez works with Great Clips and Buffalo Wild Wings.

“People want to know you,” Onyenwere said. “They want to get to know who you are off the court, as well. And obviously, that translates to dollars. But it’s been so cool to kind of see that transition where, it’s like, I’m not just in a box. I’m somebody who loves to do this, this and this. And I also happened to be good at basketball.”

Sometimes, the fun really is just fun. And it can be healing.

Betts, who has been open about her mental health struggles, credits the environment of UCLA for helping her stay healthy.

“When you’re not enjoying what you do, it makes it really hard,” Betts said. “But I can say, I really enjoy myself every single day because I get to be surrounded by my best friends. When you have that balance, it makes it a lot easier for you to show up and do your job and work really hard and give everything you have.”

Today, UCLA’s duality will come face to face with a Duke team that is especially determined after beating second-seeded LSU on Ashlon Jackson’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Blue Devils coach Kara Lawson is also on a mission in her return to Sacramento, where she played with the WNBA’s Monarchs from 2003-2006.

But on Saturday, the Bruins’ levity still shined through. Leger-Walker and Kneepkens showered Close in applause when she stepped off the dais after a press conference. Then the teammates and lifelong friends took their seats under the bright lights, looked forward and addressed the game ahead.