As the seconds on the clock trickled down and UCLA well on their way to a win, holding a 22-point lead against Minnesota, that was when perhaps one of the biggest moments in the game occurred. At least, one of the biggest moments from the Bruins’ perspective.
Freshman guard Christina Karamouzi found herself open in the corner, the recipient of a pass from playmaking extraordinaire Charlisse Leger-Walker. Karamouzi let the ball fly and it sailed right through the net, giving her her first career NCAA Tournament points.
The reaction from her teammates on the bench — the excitement, joy and smiling faces — was unmistakeable. It was a moment that UCLA head coach Cori Close did not want to go unmentioned. While fellow freshmen Sienna Betts and Lena Bilic have been key contributors at times, Karamouzi has often been the odd player out.
”My favorite was Chrizzy last night because Chrizzy has a really hard role, and she was the last one added to our roster in a very experienced group,” Close said during her pre-Elite Eight press conference. “I showed her the clip of her making the shot and watching the bench react to her. I said, they react that way because they love you that much. They’re so excited to celebrate you because you have sacrificed for them, and they want to give you your due and your moment.”
Karamouzi did not score in either of the Bruins’ first two tournament games against Cal Baptist and Oklahoma State. She took only one shot and played a total of six minutes across both games. But it was third time that was the charm for her, giving her one of the biggest highlights of her freshman year.
“It means a lot. I’m so happy to just look back at those clips because in the moment I don’t really see it or think about it,” Karamouzi told The IX Sports. “It’s just so fun to have everyone behind me and everyone so excited for me. That makes me really happy.”
“Becoming Caitlin Clark” is out now!
Howard Megdal’s newest book is here! “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar” captures both the historic nature of Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible, including interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and many others.
As Close mentioned, Karamouzi was a late addition to the Bruins’ roster. By the fall of 2024, both the younger Betts and Bilic had already signed letters of intent. But UCLA’s roster was shaken up a bit when their entire 2024 recruiting class all entered the transfer portal shortly after the team’s Final Four loss to UConn.
With space suddenly available, Karamouzi joined the team in July of 2025. Most of her on-court experience this year has come from playing against her teammates in practice. She’s played a total of 68 minutes across UCLA’s 35 games, including in postseason tournaments. It’s been a learning experience, but one she feels will ultimately pay off.
“It’s been really hard because I’ve been having to push myself and everything,” Karamouzi said. “But this is a great team and they challenge you every day. That’s what I wanted, that’s why I came here. I feel like I’ve been getting better every day and I just love to be on this team.”
Close has often talked about the work put in behind closed doors and how that work will eventually come to the light. It’s been a recurring message to the Bruins at the end of the rotation.
That group has consisted of Karamouzi, Betts, Bilic and redshirt sophomore Amanda Muse. While the latter three have had their moments this season where they’ve made big plays or stood out in some way, Karamouzi had to wait a little longer for her moment.
Her teammates have seen the work put in all season, and that was why they couldn’t hide their emotion when the shot went down. For Leger-Walker, who got the assist on the play, it’s Karamouzi’s confidence that sets her apart.
“We see Chrizzy in the gym every single day, before practice, after practice, putting in the work, getting extra shots up and she really is one of those players who is going to do everything that they can to be the best version of themselves,” Leger-Walker said during a pre-Elite Eight press conference. “You don’t get a lot of opportunities all the time to have big moments in March. So for her to get that as a freshman, you could see it in the reaction from our team.
“Just also having the confidence to get out there and shoot that. There was no hesitation. And we see that every day in practice. So for her to come out and have that moment, we were all just really proud and happy for her.”
Keeping that confidence is not an easy thing. It’s challenging for players who are used to bigger roles and consistent minutes before they came to college. For Karamouzi, she was a regular with the younger levels of the Swedish national team. She had experience as a consistent contributor in international competition before even setting foot on campus at UCLA.
What’s helped Karamouzi stay level-headed this season is by focusing on the bigger picture. Getting to learn from a veteran, experienced team and keeping them sharp in practice is development in itself.
“I think it’s just trying to focus on the process and focus on what you can get better at,” Karamouzi said. “Try to take it day by day and just challenge yourself and have some grace as well. Just try to stay confident even though it’s really hard. Just try to be yourself and then your time will come.”
While the Bruins certainly have lofty goals this season after last year’s Final Four disappointment, Karamouzi believes it’s already been a successful freshman year for her.
The experience she’s gotten, even if it’s not always translated to on-court minutes, is going to be beneficial in the long run. Most of UCLA’s seniors are projected to be picked in the first round of the upcoming WNBA Draft. That’s a rare experience for most freshmen.
“I think it’s been a successful season already just staying connected to the process and committed to the team’s goals,” Karamouzi said. “I’ve just tried to get better and have fun as well. Just enjoy my time with this team because we’re not going to have the same team next year. It’s been really fun to play with these amazing players and just learn from them.”
Listen now to The IX Sports Podcast and Women’s Sports Daily
We are excited to announce the launch of TWO new podcasts for all the women’s sports fans out there looking for a daily dose of women’s sports news and analysis. Stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you listen to podcasts, and make sure to subscribe!
