Michaela Onyenwere Joins UCLA Women’s Basketball Coaching Staff
September 16, 2025 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – UCLA Women's Basketball is adding Bruin alum and 2021 WNBA Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere to its staff as an assistant coach for the 2025-26 season.
"What an honor it is to welcome Mic back to campus," said The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close. "I'm excited to bring her on and use her incredible basketball mind. Our student-athletes have an amazing opportunity to learn a lot from a vet in the W – many of our players aspire to keep playing after they graduate here, so they can take full advantage of picking the mind of a seasoned pro. We're so lucky to have Michaela join our staff!"
The Aurora, Colo., native, who played for the Chicago Sky during her fifth year the WNBA this summer, provides valuable experience as a professional in the basketball world.
"I'm extremely honored to be back in Westwood as an assistant coach with the Bruins!" said Onyenwere. "To represent this program and university again fills my heart with joy – I'm so excited to be able to work with our student-athletes from this side of the bench. I truly believe we are building something special here, and I'm fully prepared to help mentor and equip our players so we can accomplish all of our goals this year. Go Bruins!"
The Bruin was drafted sixth overall by the New York Liberty in the 2021 WNBA Draft; she led all rookies in points per game (8.6 PPG), points (275), field goals made (91 FGM), 3-point field goals (37 3FGM) and total minutes played (721) on her way to an All-Rookie selection during her first campaign in the W. Onyenwere was unanimously voted 2021 Associated Press (AP) Rookie of the Year.
Onyenwere left UCLA as the program's fourth-leading scorer, totaling 1,888-career points, and she ranked eighth all-time in rebounds (885 REB) for the Bruins. The forward was named AP Third Team All-American her junior and senior year, marking the first two-time AP All-American in program history. Onyenwere was a three-time All-Pac-12 selection and made the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in 2018.
UCLA boasted a 92-32 record over her four years with the Bruins.
"I'm extremely excited for Michaela to be joining the coaching staff at UCLA," said Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada, who was teammates with Onyenwere with the Bruins in 2017-18. "She brings the knowledge, the experience and the energy that will be a great addition to the program!"
While a student at UCLA, Onyenwere and five of her teammates started the "More Than a D.R.E.A.M." initiative to help use their platform to educate others on racial injustice, issues that Black people in America face, and Black culture. The acronym, which stands for Diversify, Reveal, Educate, Advocate and Motivate, captures the initiative's goal of promoting awareness on these racial issues and empowering diverse identities and cultures. Onyenwere and the "More Than a D.R.E.A.M." committee also hosted conversations about race with prominent figures and notable alumni called "Bruin Table Talk" – Baron Davis, Earl Watson, Canada and Dawn Staley made appearances on the YouTube show.
"What an honor it is to welcome Mic back to campus," said The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close. "I'm excited to bring her on and use her incredible basketball mind. Our student-athletes have an amazing opportunity to learn a lot from a vet in the W – many of our players aspire to keep playing after they graduate here, so they can take full advantage of picking the mind of a seasoned pro. We're so lucky to have Michaela join our staff!"
The Aurora, Colo., native, who played for the Chicago Sky during her fifth year the WNBA this summer, provides valuable experience as a professional in the basketball world.
"I'm extremely honored to be back in Westwood as an assistant coach with the Bruins!" said Onyenwere. "To represent this program and university again fills my heart with joy – I'm so excited to be able to work with our student-athletes from this side of the bench. I truly believe we are building something special here, and I'm fully prepared to help mentor and equip our players so we can accomplish all of our goals this year. Go Bruins!"
The Bruin was drafted sixth overall by the New York Liberty in the 2021 WNBA Draft; she led all rookies in points per game (8.6 PPG), points (275), field goals made (91 FGM), 3-point field goals (37 3FGM) and total minutes played (721) on her way to an All-Rookie selection during her first campaign in the W. Onyenwere was unanimously voted 2021 Associated Press (AP) Rookie of the Year.
Onyenwere left UCLA as the program's fourth-leading scorer, totaling 1,888-career points, and she ranked eighth all-time in rebounds (885 REB) for the Bruins. The forward was named AP Third Team All-American her junior and senior year, marking the first two-time AP All-American in program history. Onyenwere was a three-time All-Pac-12 selection and made the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in 2018.
UCLA boasted a 92-32 record over her four years with the Bruins.
"I'm extremely excited for Michaela to be joining the coaching staff at UCLA," said Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada, who was teammates with Onyenwere with the Bruins in 2017-18. "She brings the knowledge, the experience and the energy that will be a great addition to the program!"
While a student at UCLA, Onyenwere and five of her teammates started the "More Than a D.R.E.A.M." initiative to help use their platform to educate others on racial injustice, issues that Black people in America face, and Black culture. The acronym, which stands for Diversify, Reveal, Educate, Advocate and Motivate, captures the initiative's goal of promoting awareness on these racial issues and empowering diverse identities and cultures. Onyenwere and the "More Than a D.R.E.A.M." committee also hosted conversations about race with prominent figures and notable alumni called "Bruin Table Talk" – Baron Davis, Earl Watson, Canada and Dawn Staley made appearances on the YouTube show.
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