This weekend, Tampa takes center stage as the last four teams standing in the 2025 Women’s College Basketball Tournament compete for the national championship. UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina have all arrived at Amalie Arena, where they are making their final preparations before taking the court. Fans can catch the highly anticipated championship game this Sunday at 3:00 PM on ABC.
For the fourth time, Tampa is hosting the Women’s Final Four, and has previously welcomed the event in 2008, 2015, and 2019. This year, the excitement is even greater with three players boasting Florida roots returning to their home state to compete on the biggest stage in college basketball.
Beyond the battle for the championship, this weekend is a special homecoming for several players and coaches with Florida ties.
UCLA’s Cori Close
UCLA Head Coach Cori Close is no stranger to Florida basketball. Before leading the Bruins, she spent seven years as an assistant coach at Florida State. Her familiarity with the state’s basketball culture makes this Final Four appearance even more meaningful.
South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts
South Carolina junior forward Chloe Kitts grew up in Oviedo, Florida, and honed her skills at DME Academy in Daytona Beach. Reflecting on the moment, she acknowledges the challenge ahead:
“Everyone expects to win it. We also know that it's not promised. We have to really work for it. The next game isn't promised, so we're confident, but we know we have to play like it’s our last.”
Texas’ Jordana Codio
Texas guard Jordana Codio also has deep Florida roots. A native of Winter Garden, she played high school basketball at Montverde Academy. She’s thrilled to be back in her home state, saying:
“It’s good to be back in Florida. I definitely missed it—maybe not the humidity—but it’s great to be here. The fact that it’s in Tampa is awesome, too.”
Adding to the Florida connections, Codio’s younger brother, Cameron, is a redshirt freshman on the Florida Gulf Coast University men’s basketball team, further tying the Codio family to the Gulf Coast region.
Game Schedule
The semifinal matchups begin Friday night, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of basketball:
- #1 South Carolina vs. #1 Texas – Friday at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN
- #1 UCLA vs. #2 UConn – Friday at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN
- Championship Game – Sunday at 3:00 PM ET on ABC
Gulf Coast News will be providing extensive coverage throughout the weekend, bringing fans the latest updates and highlights. Don’t miss out on the action as Tampa plays host to the pinnacle of women’s college basketball!