Triumph Before the Comeback
Lena Bilić's rise through Croatia's youth hardwood scene culminated in an NCAA national title during her freshman year at UCLA. After helping the Bruins secure a historic crown, the Croatian guard-forward now faces a new challenge after sustaining an ACL injury that will sideline her for the 2026-2027 campaign.
- Full Name: Lena Bilić
- Sport: Women's Basketball
- Position: Guard/Forward
- Jersey Number: 9
- Height: 6 feet, 3 inches
- Birthplace: Zagreb, Croatia
- High School: XVI Gimnazija
- College: University of California, Los Angeles
- Current Team: UCLA Bruins
- Class: Sophomore
- Years Active: 2022-present
Bilić first attracted international attention at the 2022 FIBA U16 Women's European Championship, averaging 12.4 points and 4.3 rebounds. She assumed a larger playmaking responsibility the following tournament, posting 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per contest at the 2023 competition, leading all participants in assists.
Her progression continued at the 2024 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup and U18 Women's EuroBasket. She compiled 15.7 points at the U17 World Cup before registering 16.1 points, five rebounds and 5.6 assists per outing at the U18 European Championship. In 2025, she raised her production to 23.6 points, six rebounds and 4.1 assists at the U18 Women's EuroBasket Division B.
Lena joined UCLA for the 2025-2026 campaign, bringing overseas experience and positional versatility to the Bruins. With her height, she could contribute in both backcourt and frontcourt roles. During her collegiate debut stint, she appeared in 33 games, posting 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per match .
Her standout performance came against Southern University on November 23, 2025, when she recorded a season-high 14 points, matched her career-best six rebounds and knocked down four three-pointers in an 88-37 victory. Bilić followed that display by scoring 13 points versus Oregon on December 7, 2025, helping UCLA secure a win its first Big Ten conference game.
Her freshman year coincided with a landmark achievement for the program. The Los Angeles squad finished 37-1, then defeated South Carolina 79-51 in the national final on April 5, 2026, capturing the first NCAA women's basketball championship in school history. As part of the title-winning roster, she gained valuable exposure during the Bruins' historic run.
Lena remained active on the international stage in 2026, representing Croatia at the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket. Across seven appearances, she accumulated 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Her strongest showing came facing Latvia on July 8, when she delivered 35 points and seven rebounds in a 97-84 win. She also secured 11 rebounds and six assists in the quarterfinal matchup versus Belgium.
However, her momentum was interrupted before her sophomore year. On October 4, 2026, UCLA announced that she had torn her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in preseason practice. The injury ruled her out for the entire 2026-2027 campaign, putting her collegiate development on hold.
Bilić now turns her focus to rehabilitation, facing a challenge that will test her resilience and determination. While her return will take time, her champion-level experience and global achievements provide a strong foundation for what lies ahead. Her story is far from over, and her next phase promises to be one worth watching.