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

Tennessee Lady Volunteers women’s basketball forward Janiah Barker had a chilling 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 were able to pull out a 22-point victory, 99-77.

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As the broadcast watched players and coaches shake hands for a moment of good sportsmanship, Barker removed his hand from Close and continued walking down the line. Close raised her hands and ignored the moment.

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

She reacted to the moment on social media, saying she had 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 Coach (Cori) and my UCLA family nothing but the best,” she wrote on X.

Close also shared the same sentiments, as it seemed like the handshake incident was an anomaly.

“Outside of this game, I just want to wish Janiah Barker the best. I think she’s a spectacular player, she’s given us a lot on the court, off the court. And I just want to make sure to say that I wish her nothing but the best going forward,” she said via Sports Illustrated.

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

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UCLA went 8-1 that year. Tennessee fell to 5-2.