NCAA basketball: Tennessee’s Janiah Barker has an awkward postgame moment with UCLA coach

Tennessee Lady Volunteers women’s basketball forward Janiah Barker had an icy moment in the handshake line with UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close after Sunday’s game.

Barker led the No. 14 Lady Vols with 25 points in 27 minutes. The No. 3 Bruins managed to pull off the 22-point victory, 99-77.

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As the broadcast tuned into players and coaches shaking hands for a moment of good sportsmanship, Barker pulled his hand away from Close and continued walking down the line. Close threw up his hands and withdrew from the moment.

Barker transferred from UCLA to Tennessee after just one year in Southern California. She appeared in 36 games and made three starts. She averaged 7.4 points and 6 rebounds per game.

She responded to the moment on social media, saying she bore no ill will towards Close.

Tennessee forward Janiah Barker (0) reacts at the end of an NCAA college basketball game against UCLA in Los Angeles, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

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“Respect! We shook hands. I wish nothing but the best for Coach (Cori) and my UCLA family,” she wrote on X.

Close also shared the same sentiments as it appeared the handshake incident was an anomaly.

“Outside of this game, I want nothing but the best for Janiah Barker. I think she’s a spectacular player, she gave us a lot on the field, off the field. And I just want to make sure I say I wish her nothing but the best the rest of the way,” she said, via Sports Illustrated.

UCLA head coach Cori Close talks to her players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke in the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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UCLA moved to 8-1 on the year. Tennessee fell to 5-2.