Megan Grant Aims to Inspire UCLA Basketball Spirit on the Diamond
Megan Grant Balances Basketball and Softball with Distinction
Megan Grant, a two-time NFCA All-American at UCLA, reflects on her surprising proficiency in basketball, recalling a time when she shot .500 from the field, an impressive feat compared to her career .348 batting average in softball.
Grant has showcased her remarkable skills on the softball diamond, boasting a career slugging percentage of .727 and a fielding percentage of .978. During the 2025 season, she set a Big Ten single-season record by hitting 26 home runs.
When considering her dual-sport athlete status, Grant prefers to characterize basketball as fun rather than easy. “It’s something where I can just easily lose myself in the competitive nature and just the process of things,” she explained.
This season, Grant has been contributing to the Bruins women’s basketball team, an opportunity she embraced after softball coach Kelly Inouye-Perez suggested she join the squad. The chance to train with the basketball team not only allowed her to hone new skills but also to compete at a high level. “Just being able to say I played basketball at such a high level collegiately, it’s always an honor to say,” she stated.
Throughout the season, Grant has contributed 33 minutes off the bench, making three of nine field goal attempts, contributing to the No. 2 Bruins’ impressive 22-1 record and maintaining an undefeated status in Big Ten play.
With the start of softball season this past Friday, Grant turns her focus back to the diamond as she prepares for her senior year. She enters this phase with a renewed sense of leadership and ambition. “I feel like all programs all throughout our campus, we just have this competitive greatness about all of us that we know we will do whatever it takes to win,” she remarked, emphasizing the collaborative spirit fostered through her exposure to women’s basketball under coach Cori Close.
The UCLA softball team is currently 5-0 after a standout opening weekend, which included a dominant 17-0 victory against UC Riverside. Last season, the Bruins finished as the runners-up in the Big Ten tournament and made a notable showing in the Women’s College World Series, where Grant’s two-run home run tied a game against Tennessee before they ultimately lost in extra innings.
As the season unfolds, Grant notes the depth and versatility of the roster, stating, “I feel like almost every single player is playing both infield and outfield and that kind of depth that we have is something that we haven’t had in a while.”
Despite her basketball commitments, Grant’s aspirations remain steadfast: winning Big Ten and national championships in softball, all while cherishing the time spent with her teammates. “If that moment were to come, I know in my heart, I have the confidence to just be able to say, ‘Yup, I worked on this and I’m ready,’” she concluded.
Rose Bowl Controversy Continues
In other news, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge recently denied UCLA’s request to resolve a dispute with the Rose Bowl Operating Company and the City of Pasadena through arbitration. The Rose Bowl officials had filed a lawsuit after it became apparent that UCLA was considering terminating its lease early to possibly play home football games at SoFi Stadium.
The Rose Bowl seeks to enforce a lease that lasts through 2044, claiming that taxpayer money has funded costly renovations at UCLA’s request and that the Bruins’ departure could cause irreparable harm.
Arguments in court revealed that arbitration would restrict the Rose Bowl’s access to important records and limit public transparency. Judge Joseph Lipner deemed the arbitration clause in the contract as containing "unusual and exceeding narrow language," suggesting that both sides had not intended for arbitration to be the resolution process for disputes over contract termination.
The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for February 27.
UCLA Women’s Basketball Continues Winning Streak
The No. 2 UCLA women’s basketball team achieved a thrilling 69-66 victory against No. 8 Michigan, extending its win streak to 17 games. Coach Cori Close expressed pride in her team’s ability to adapt during challenging situations: “To go into a hostile environment, and really in the second half, do it with our defense.”
The Bruins are set to conclude a demanding road trip against No. 12 Michigan State on Wednesday at 5 p.m. PST.
Jordan Chiles Honors Community with Tribute
In a heartfelt tribute during the team’s meet at Minnesota, UCLA gymnast Jordan Chiles performed her floor routine set to Prince’s music, honoring local fans affected by immigration raids. She delivered the routine flawlessly, scoring a perfect 10 for the fourth consecutive week. Speaking after the meet, Chiles expressed solidarity with the community, stating, “I wanted to bring that energy here and so I hope it uplifted you guys in this very dark time.” UCLA ultimately won the meet, scoring 197.550 to Minnesota’s 197.275, with Chiles securing her fourth consecutive individual all-around title.
Survey Results and Community Engagement
In a recent survey asking fans about their favorite UCLA sports aside from football and basketball, softball emerged as the top choice with 52.8% of the votes, closely followed by baseball at 52.3%. Other sports that garnered attention included gymnastics, men’s volleyball, and women’s soccer.
For continued updates and insights into UCLA athletics, readers are encouraged to stay informed through various channels.
