UCLA’s Lauren Betts Shines as Tournament Star in NCAA Sweet 16

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Lauren Betts, the 6-foot-7 center for the UCLA Bruins, has emerged as a standout player in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, dominating her first two rounds and leading her team to the Sweet 16.

In her latest performance, Betts scored 30 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists during a decisive victory over the Richmond Spiders, a game that highlighted her offensive and defensive prowess. “We knew we had the upper hand, and I just focused on doing my job for the team,” Betts said after the win.

Despite other high-profile players stealing headlines, Betts is proving to be one of the most talented players in the tournament. Her remarkable skills have not gone unnoticed, as she is widely regarded as a potential standout for the championship run.

Betts, who became the No. 1 high school player according to ESPN in 2022, comes from an athletic family. Her father, Andrew Betts, played professional basketball internationally. Interestingly, her siblings also possess exceptional height; her little brother, Dylan, stands at 7 feet 2 inches, while her younger sister, Sienna, measures 6 feet 4 inches. The Betts family’s athletic legacy includes their mother, Michelle, who played volleyball at Long Beach State.

The Bruins will face the No. 5 seed Ole Miss Rebels next on their journey to the Final Four. The opposite side of the bracket features the LSU Tigers, led by head coach Kim Mulkey, set to take on NC State. Betts understands that every game becomes crucial as the stakes grow higher. “We are focused on the next game; we can’t overlook any opponent,” she emphasized.

In an exciting announcement, Michelle Betts shared on Instagram that Sienna, who is ranked as ESPN’s No. 2 player in this year’s class, will be joining her sister at UCLA next season, wearing the number 16—a tribute to their mother’s legacy. “I’m so honored and crying so hard that I can barely breathe,” Michelle wrote, expressing her pride in her daughters.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Betts as she continues to lead the Bruins, proving that she is not just another name in the spotlight but a key player to watch in the weeks ahead. Fans and analysts alike eagerly await her next game, where her talent and determination will be put to the test once more.