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Lauren Betts
View on WikipediaLauren Marie Betts (born October 15, 2003) is a Spanish-born British-American college basketball player for the UCLA Bruins of the Big Ten Conference. She played for Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, where she was ranked as the number one recruit in her class by ESPN. Betts started her college career with the Stanford Cardinal before transferring to UCLA after one season.
Key Information
Early life and high school career
[edit]Betts was born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, and moved around the country during her childhood due to the basketball career of her father, Andrew.[1] When she was in third grade, her family settled in the United States.[2] Before focusing on basketball, Betts was involved in dance, swimming and soccer.[1] She played for Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado. As a freshman, Betts averaged 12.7 points, 8.6 boards and 3.9 blocks per game for the Class 5A runners-up.[3] In her sophomore season, she averaged 17.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game, leading her team back to the state title game, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] Betts averaged 17.5 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior, helping Grandview achieve a 17–1 record and reach the Class 5A semifinals. She was named Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year.[5] Betts led her team to the Class 5A state championship in her senior season.[6] She averaged 17.2 points, 11 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game, winning Women's Basketball Coaches Association High School Player of the Year and repeating as Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year.[7][8] She also played in both the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic.[9]
Recruiting
[edit]Betts was considered a five-star recruit and the number one player in the 2022 class by ESPN. On January 13, 2021, she committed to playing college basketball for Stanford over offers from Notre Dame, Oregon, UCLA, UConn, and South Carolina.[10]
College career
[edit]2022-23 Freshman season
[edit]Betts came off the bench for Stanford in her freshman season.[11] On November 9, 2022, she recorded a season-high 18 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in a 104–40 win over Cal State Northridge.[12] As a freshman, she averaged 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per game, earning Pac-12 All-Freshman honorable mention.[13]
2023-24 Sophomore season
[edit]For her sophomore season, Betts transferred to UCLA.[13] She immediately assumed a greater role with the Bruins as the team's starting center.[14] In January 2024, Betts missed four games due to a medical issue, which was later disclosed as time to focus on her mental health.[15][16] On February 16, she scored a season-high 24 points in a 79–77 loss to AP No. 11 Oregon State.[17] Betts finished the season averaging 14.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. She was an All-Pac-12 Team and a Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selection, while earning All-America honorable mention from the AP and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).[16]
2024-25 Junior season
[edit]In the second game of her junior season, on November 10, 2024, Betts had 31 points and nine rebounds in an 81–63 win over Colgate.[18] On January 20, 2025, she tallied 24 points, nine rebounds, and a program-record nine blocks in a 72–57 win against AP No. 25 Baylor.[19] On January 26, 2025, Betts posted a career-high 33 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks in an 82–67 victory over AP No. 8 Maryland. During the game, she shot 14-of-15 from the field (93.3 percent), breaking the program single-game record in field goal percentage with at least 15 attempts.[20] On February 20, Betts surpassed Monique Billings to set the UCLA single-season record in blocks, as part of a 22-point, 6-block effort in a 70–55 win over AP No. 25 Illinois.[21]
The Bruins had a strong season and were ranked number one in the nation after defeating defending champion South Carolina during the regular season. Betts led the Bruins to their First Big Ten Tournament Championship and First 30 wins in a season.[22] Betts was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team and was the most outstanding player of the tournament.[23] Betts was named as both an AP[24] and a USBWA[25] First Team All–American.[26] She was named one of four finalists for the Naismith Women's Player of the Year,[27] and was named the 2025 Naismith Women’s College Defensive Player of the Year.[28] She was named to the John R. Wooden Award Women’s All-America team.[29] She was the Lisa Leslie Center of The Year.[30] Betts helped the Bruins reach the 2025 Final Four, and was named to the NCAA WBB Final Four all-tournament team.[31]
National team career
[edit]Betts won a gold medal with the United States under-16 national team at the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Chile. She averaged 12.2 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, earning all-tournament honors.[3] Betts was the youngest member of the under-19 national team at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Hungary. She averaged 11.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game en route to a gold medal.[32] Betts played for the senior national team at the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup in Mexico, helping her team win a silver medal. She averaged 11.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.[33]
Personal life
[edit]Betts was born to Andrew and Michelle Betts. Andrew Betts was a Centre for the Great Britain/England national teams who played for several leading European clubs and was drafted by the NBA's Charlotte Hornets. Her mother, Michelle, played volleyball for Long Beach State; winning a national title in 1998.[34] She has a sister, Sienna, and two brothers, Dylan and Ashton.[35] In 2025, she appeared in the 10th season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars as a guest who received a makeover as part of a weekly challenge.
Career statistics
[edit]| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game | RPG | Rebounds per game |
| APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game | BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
| TO | Turnovers per game | FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| Bold | Career best | ° | League leader |
College
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Stanford | 33 | 0 | 9.6 | 60.2 | 0.0 | 56.7 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 5.9 |
| 2023–24 | UCLA | 29 | 27 | 27.2 | 64.3 | 0.0 | 61.0 | 9.3 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 14.9 |
| 2024–25 | UCLA | 34 | 34 | 30.1 | 64.8 | 0.0 | 62.0 | 9.5 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 2.7 | 20.2 |
| Career | 96 | 61 | 22.2 | 63.9 | 0.0 | 60.7 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 13.7 | |
| Statistics retrieved from Sports-Reference.[36] | |||||||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ a b Newman, Kyle (March 9, 2022). "Grandview's Lauren Betts has lived up to the hype as nation's top prospect — but she still needs a championship". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ Drumwright, Steve (June 13, 2019). "Lauren Betts Showing She Belongs Among World's Best With Selection to USA U16 National Team". USA Basketball. Red Line Editorial. Archived from the original on June 15, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ a b Keeler, Sean (December 8, 2019). "Lauren Betts is 6-foot-7, 16 years old, and hasn't even touched the ceiling yet". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Schubert, Matt (January 14, 2021). "Grandview's Lauren Betts commits to Stanford women's basketball, joining two other recent Colorado recruits". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Nguyen, Joe (May 27, 2021). "Grandview's Lauren Betts named Gatorade Colorado girls basketball player of the year". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Keeler, Sean (March 12, 2022). "Class 5A girls championship: Lauren Betts, Grandview finally get their title, top Valor Christian, 52-40". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Needelman, Joshua (May 12, 2022). "Stanford commit Lauren Betts named WBCA Player of Year". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Nguyen, Joe (March 9, 2022). "Grandview's Lauren Betts named back-to-back Colorado Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Desadier, Charlie (June 10, 2022). "No. 1 Senior Lauren Betts is Ready For Her Next Journey at Stanford". Slam. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Laflin, Shane (January 13, 2021). "Lauren Betts, ranked No. 1 in Class of 2022, commits to Stanford". ESPN. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Ingemi, Marisa (December 27, 2022). "Lauren Betts is the future of Stanford basketball, even if she isn't the now". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Parker, Ben (November 10, 2022). "Recap: #2 Stanford WBB dominates CSUN". Rivals. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ a b Nguyen, Thuc Nhi (April 18, 2023). "UCLA basketball adds Stanford transfer Lauren Betts, the No. 1 prospect in 2022 class". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Pickman, Ben (November 24, 2023). "At UCLA, Lauren Betts found a new home, a new start and renewed confidence". The Athletic. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Lauren Betts rejoins No. 9 UCLA for win over Arizona". ESPN. February 10, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Laase, Eden (January 29, 2025). "'I could see her sinking' — How Lauren Betts rediscovered her confidence and found her voice". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Talia von Oelhoffen hits 3-pointer at buzzer to lift No. 11 Oregon State past No. 9 UCLA 79-77". ESPN. Associated Press. February 17, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Lauren Betts scores a career-high 31 points to lead No. 5 UCLA women over Colgate 81-63". Associated Press. November 10, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ McNeill, Dylan (January 20, 2025). "Lauren Betts sets new UCLA record with nine blocks in win over Baylor". USA Today. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Stevens, Patrick (January 26, 2025). "Lauren Betts scores a career-high 33 points as No. 1 UCLA handles No. 8 Maryland, 82-67". Associated Press. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ De Leon, Anthony (February 20, 2025). "Lauren Betts breaks a school record in No. 3 UCLA's win over No. 25 Illinois". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Women’s Basketball Captures Big Ten Championship Over Trojans, 72-67. UCLABRUINS.com, March 9, 2025
- ^ "2025 WBB All-Tournament Team" (PDF). BigTen.org. March 9, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Feinberg, Doug - JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo headline women’s AP All-America team; Bueckers, Betts, Booker join them. Associated Press, March 19, 2025
- ^ Greenberg, Mel - USBWA unveils 2024-25 Women's All-America Team U.S. Basketball Writers Association, March 19, 2025
- ^ Considine, Madeline - Bruins Star Lauren Betts Reaches New Heights. Sports Illustrated, March 21, 2025
- ^ Considine, Madeleine - Bruins' Anchor Lauren Betts Makes Naismith Push. Sports Illustrated, March 26, 2025
- ^ Cavanaugh, Tom - Bruins' Betts Wins Prestigious National Award. Sports Illustrated, April 3, 2025
- ^ "2024-25 Women's All America Team & Top 5". John R. Wooden Award. John R. Wooden Award. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME REVEALS WINNERS OF MEN AND WOMEN’S NAISMITH STARTING FIVE AWARDS ON ESPN’S COLLEGE GAMEDAY. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame, April 5, 2025
- ^ Women's March Madness: All-Tournament Teams in NCAA history. ESPN, April 8, 2025
- ^ Laase, Eden (November 2, 2021). "Bigger than tall: How No. 1 recruit Lauren Betts found herself and her voice". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ "Betts, Osborne Claim Silver with USA at 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup". UCLA Athletics. July 9, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Villa, Walter (June 11, 2019). "Women's basketball recruiting: Well-traveled Lauren Betts heads to Chile with USA Basketball". ESPN. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ "Lauren Betts". uclabruins.com. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ "Lauren Betts College Stats". Sports-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
External links
[edit]Lauren Betts
View on GrokipediaEarly life and high school career
Early life
Lauren Betts was born on October 15, 2003, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, to American mother Michelle Betts, a former Division I volleyball player at Long Beach State, and British father Andrew Betts, a former professional basketball player.[2][3][8] Andrew Betts enjoyed a 14-year professional basketball career across European leagues, including stints in Spain and England, which shaped the family's nomadic lifestyle during Lauren's early childhood.[9] The family resided in several Spanish cities, such as Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, and San Sebastián, following Andrew's playing opportunities.[2] In 2011, when Lauren was eight years old, the family relocated to Centennial, Colorado, after Andrew retired from international basketball to prioritize family commitments.[10] This move allowed the Betts family to establish roots in the United States, where Michelle had prior ties through her athletic background. Growing up in an athletic household, Lauren received early exposure to basketball through her father's coaching and the family's emphasis on sports.[11] Her international upbringing in Spain also fostered bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, though she noted losing some fluency after the relocation.[12]High school career
Betts attended Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, where she played varsity basketball for four seasons, starting as a freshman in 2018.[2] As a freshman during the 2018–19 season, she averaged 12.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game over 28 contests, contributing to the team's advancement to the Class 5A state championship game, where Grandview finished as runners-up.[13] In her sophomore year (2019–20), Betts elevated her production, averaging 17.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.9 blocks per game across 26 games, though the season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] As a junior in 2020–21, she posted averages of 17.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game in 17 appearances while shooting 80% from the field, helping Grandview reach the Class 5A state semifinals.[2][13] Her senior season in 2021–22 saw her average 17.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.6 blocks per game in 24 outings, including a standout 22-point, 57% field goal performance in the state quarterfinals against Highlands Ranch.[13] Over her high school career, Betts amassed totals exceeding 1,500 points and 980 rebounds while averaging 3.6 blocks per game, establishing her as a dominant force in the post.[13] She developed into a versatile center, enhancing her mid-range shooting and perimeter defense while maintaining elite rim protection, which propelled Grandview to multiple deep playoff runs, including the 2022 Class 5A state championship victory over Valor Christian.[2] Her performances earned her top national recruiting recognition in the class of 2022.[14]Recruiting
Betts entered her recruiting process as one of the most highly touted prospects in women's basketball, ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the ESPN HoopGurlz Class of 2022 and the top center in the nation.[15] As a 6-foot-7 post player with a versatile skill set including shot-blocking, rebounding, and emerging offensive capabilities, she garnered significant media attention for her potential impact at the collegiate level.[15] Her international pedigree, stemming from being born in Vitoria, Spain, to a British father who played professional basketball in Europe and an American mother, added to her profile as a global talent who had lived in Spain before moving to Colorado at age eight.[2] Top programs aggressively pursued Betts, with offers from elite teams such as Stanford, UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, Oregon, and Notre Dame.[16] Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting in-person contact, her recruitment largely unfolded through virtual meetings and phone calls, including multiple Zoom sessions with coaches that helped build personal connections.[16] Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer was particularly instrumental, emphasizing the program's championship pedigree—highlighted by their recent national titles—and its academic excellence, which aligned with Betts' interests in psychology.[16][17] On January 13, 2021, Betts announced her verbal commitment to Stanford via Twitter, citing the school's strong family support network and the close-knit team environment as key factors in her decision.[16][18] She became Stanford's first commit in the Class of 2022, bolstering their post presence for the future.[16] Later that year, Betts showcased her elite status by participating in the 2022 McDonald's All-American Game, further solidifying her reputation among scouts and coaches.[2]College career
2022–23 freshman season
Betts entered her freshman season at Stanford as the nation's top recruit, but she primarily served as a reserve behind All-American center Cameron Brink.[19] She appeared in 33 games off the bench, averaging 5.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 9.6 minutes per game while shooting an efficient 60.2 percent from the field.[20] One of her standout performances came early in the season, when she scored a career-high 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting to go with six rebounds in a win over Cal State Northridge on November 9.[2] Betts' minutes were limited by Stanford's deep frontcourt and the physical transition to college basketball, where she focused on developing her post presence and defensive timing amid the team's high expectations.[21] During Pac-12 play, Betts showed growth, averaging over eight points per game in her final 11 appearances as Stanford captured the regular-season title.[2] The Cardinal finished the year 29–6 overall, advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 before falling to Ole Miss.[22]2023–24 sophomore season
After entering the transfer portal following a freshman season at Stanford in which she averaged just 9.7 minutes per game, Betts committed to UCLA on April 18, 2023, and was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA.[23][24] Betts transitioned seamlessly into a starring role as UCLA's primary center, starting 27 of the 29 games she appeared in while averaging 27.2 minutes per game. She led the Bruins in scoring with 14.9 points per game and rebounding with 9.3 per game, while also recording 1.0 assist, 2.0 blocks, and 0.4 steals; her field goal percentage of .643 ranked third nationally among qualified players.[20][2] Betts recorded 12 double-doubles during the season, showcasing her efficiency in the post and defensive presence that anchored UCLA's frontcourt.[25] Among her standout performances, Betts tallied 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting in a 66-52 victory over Oregon State on February 16, highlighting her offensive dominance inside.[26] In the NCAA Tournament's second round on March 25, she posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in UCLA's 67-63 comeback win over Creighton, contributing to her postseason averages of 17.0 points and 13.5 rebounds across three games. Betts also grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds to go with 17 points in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals, a 80-70 double-overtime loss to USC on March 8.[27] Under Betts' leadership in the paint, UCLA finished the season 27-7 overall and 13-5 in Pac-12 play, securing second place in the conference and advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before a 74-59 defeat to South Carolina. The Bruins reached the Pac-12 semifinals after a 67-57 quarterfinal win over Utah and earned a No. 1 seed in the Albany Regional.[28]2024–25 junior season
In the 2024–25 season, Lauren Betts emerged as the cornerstone of the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team, starting all 34 games and anchoring both ends of the floor with averages of 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.9 blocks per game.[29][20] Her efficiency was remarkable, shooting 64.8% from the field while recording 100 blocks, leading the Big Ten Conference and ranking fifth nationally in blocks per game.[2] UCLA finished the year with a 34–3 overall record, securing the Big Ten Tournament championship with a 72–67 victory over USC in the title game and earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.[30] Betts' presence was pivotal in the Bruins' first-ever Final Four appearance, where they defeated LSU 72–65 in the Elite Eight before falling 85–51 to UConn in the semifinals; she contributed 17 points and seven rebounds against LSU.[31] Betts achieved a career-high 33 points on 14-of-15 shooting, along with seven rebounds and four blocks, in a 82–67 win over then-No. 8 Maryland on January 26, 2025, helping UCLA maintain its undefeated streak at the time.[32][33] Her defensive prowess defined the season, as she set a UCLA single-season blocks record and became the first Bruin to reach 600 points, 300 rebounds, and 100 blocks in a campaign.[34] Offensively, Betts showed significant growth in the post, relying almost exclusively on interior scoring with zero three-point attempts while boosting her scoring volume from her sophomore year without sacrificing efficiency.[20][35] As UCLA's undisputed leader, Betts facilitated the team's transition to the Big Ten with poise, averaging 30.0 minutes per game and recording 12 double-doubles, including a 30-point, 14-rebound effort in the NCAA Tournament that marked the first 30–10 stat line by a Bruin in postseason play.[2][36] Her all-around impact propelled UCLA to a third-place finish in the final AP Poll and highlighted her evolution into one of the nation's elite bigs.[37]2025–26 senior season
Betts entered her senior season with UCLA ranked No. 3 in the preseason AP poll and No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference coaches' rankings, setting high expectations for a team aiming to build on its previous Final Four appearance.[38][39] Through the first five non-conference games as of November 15, 2025, she averaged 15.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 59.6 percent from the field.[20] These figures reflect an efficient start, with Betts contributing to UCLA's 5-0 record ahead of the conference schedule's tip-off later in the month.[40] In the season opener on November 3, 2025, against San Diego State at the Honda Center, Betts scored 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting to go along with 4 rebounds and 1 assist, powering No. 3 UCLA to a 77-53 rout.[41] Her efficient scoring helped the Bruins build a 15-point halftime lead, showcasing her dominance in the paint early in the campaign.[42] Two days later, on November 6 versus UC Santa Barbara, she added 12 points, 7 rebounds, and a season-high 6 assists in an 87-50 victory, highlighting her growing facilitation skills.[43] On November 10 against Oklahoma, Betts recorded 9 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 blocks in a 73-59 win. Three days later, on November 13 versus North Carolina, she tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks in an 78-60 victory. In the most recent game on November 15 against South Florida, Betts finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks in a win, helping maintain UCLA's undefeated start.[44] As the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year, Betts has embraced a heightened leadership role, with head coach Cori Close noting her evolving influence on the team.[45] Her early-season assist average of 4.2 marks an uptick from 2.7 during her junior year, suggesting adjustments to expand her playmaking beyond traditional post play.[46] Entering the year with over 1,000 career points at UCLA— a milestone reached during her junior campaign—Betts is positioned to further cement her place in Bruins history.[47]International career
Youth career with USA Basketball
Lauren Betts earned her spot on the USA U16 National Team through a competitive selection process involving trials with 146 players vying for 12 roster positions.[48] At just 15 years old, she was the youngest member of the team that represented the United States at the 2019 FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship in Puerto Aysén, Chile.[2] Betts started all six games, averaging 12.2 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, while contributing to the team's undefeated 6-0 run and gold medal victory.[4] Her dominant rebounding performance helped the USA outrebound opponents significantly, and she was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts.[2] Building on her U16 success, Betts was selected for the USA U19 World Cup Team at age 17, again as the youngest player on the 12-member roster after excelling in national trials.[49] The team competed at the 2021 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary, where Betts played a key role in the USA's perfect 7-0 record and gold medal win.[4] In seven games, she averaged 11.4 points, 10.9 rebounds (second on the team and third in the tournament), and a team-high 2.1 blocks per game, showcasing her interior presence and defensive impact.[4]Awards and honors
High school awards
During her high school career at Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, Lauren Betts earned numerous accolades that highlighted her dominance as a center and her status as one of the top prospects in the nation.[2] She was selected as a McDonald's All-American in 2022, recognizing her as one of the elite senior players in the country, and also participated in the Jordan Brand Classic as an All-American that same year, where she showcased her skills against other top recruits.[4][2] Betts was named the WBCA High School Player of the Year in 2022 by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, an honor that capped her senior season in which she led Grandview to a Class 5A state championship while averaging 17.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.4 blocks per game.[4][2] She also received the Gatorade Colorado Girls Basketball Player of the Year award twice, first in the 2020-21 season as a junior and again in 2021-22 as a senior, acknowledging her outstanding performance and leadership on and off the court.[5][4] In addition to national recognition, Betts was honored with a spot on the 2021 MaxPreps All-America First Team following her junior year, reflecting her contributions to Grandview's success and her statewide impact.[4] She earned four-time all-conference selections in the Centennial League from 2018 to 2022, including being named the league's Player of the Year in 2021-22, underscoring her consistent excellence in regional competition.[2][50]College awards
During her sophomore season in 2023–24 at UCLA, Betts was selected to the All-Pac-12 Team and the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team, recognizing her contributions to the Bruins' Pac-12 regular-season championship run.[51] In the 2024–25 season, Betts earned multiple national and conference accolades for her dominant play as a junior. She was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first Big Ten player to win the award and UCLA's first national defensive player of the year.[7][2] She also received the WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year honor.[52] Additionally, Betts won the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award, was a first-team All-American by the Associated Press, and earned unanimous Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors from conference coaches.[53][54][55] She was recognized as Big Ten Player of the Week on three occasions—November 18, January 27, and February 24—for standout performances including double-doubles and high block totals.[2] Heading into her senior year in 2025–26, Betts was named Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year by both coaches and media, Associated Press Preseason First-Team All-American, and to the preseason watch list for the Wade Trophy, awarded to the top player in women's college basketball.[56][54][34] She also appeared on the Lisa Leslie Award watch list as the defending recipient.[57] Betts received multiple Big Ten weekly honors during her UCLA career, highlighting her consistent impact.[2]Personal life
Betts is the eldest of four siblings. Her sister Sienna is a 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) power forward and a top high school recruit who committed to UCLA for the class of 2025.[58] Her younger brother Dylan is a 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) center playing high school basketball, while Ashton is her half-brother from her father's side.[58] [59] Her parents divorced when she was young.[58] As a child, Betts struggled with her height, reaching 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) by third grade and nearly 6 ft (1.83 m) by age 11. After moving to Colorado at age eight, she faced bullying at Laredo Middle School, where classmates mocked her as a "giraffe" or "alien" due to her size, accent, and voice, leading to anxiety and emotional distress.[14] Initially, she tried soccer and swimming to distinguish herself from her father's basketball background but eventually took up the sport.[60] Her mother, Michelle, supported her through therapy and reassurance that her height was a "blessing."[14] Betts has openly discussed her battles with depression and insecurity about her athletic identity, particularly during her time at UCLA. In January 2024, she experienced a mental health crisis requiring hospitalization, after which she sought therapy and shifted focus to building her sense of self beyond basketball, emphasizing relationships as a daughter, sister, teammate, and friend. By the 2024–25 season, she had embraced her height and identity, which improved her performance and confidence.[14] [61] Betts holds dual American and British nationality.[59]Career statistics
Per-Game Averages
The following table presents Lauren Betts' per-game statistics across her college seasons at Stanford (2022–23) and UCLA (2023–24 onward).[46]| Season | Team | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Stanford | 33 | 9.6 | 5.9 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | .602 | .000 | .567 |
| 2023–24 | UCLA | 29 | 27.1 | 14.9 | 9.3 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.4 | .643 | .000 | .610 |
| 2024–25 | UCLA | 34 | 30.1 | 20.2 | 9.5 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 0.9 | .648 | .000 | .620 |
| 2025–26* | UCLA | 5 | 29.2 | 15.2 | 7.8 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 0.2 | .596 | .000 | .933 |
| Career | 101 | 22.5 | 13.7 | 7.4 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.5 | .637 | .000 | .621 |
Career Totals
| GP | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | FG | FGA | FT | FTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | 1388 | 748 | 158 | 199 | 50 | 589 | 925 | 210 | 338 |
Advanced Metrics
Advanced statistics by season, including player efficiency rating (PER), true shooting percentage (TS%), offensive rebound percentage (ORB%), defensive rebound percentage (DRB%), total rebound percentage (TRB%), block percentage (BLK%), and usage rate (USG%). Data available through 2025–26 season (partial).[20]| Season | PER | TS% | ORB% | DRB% | TRB% | BLK% | USG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 41.1 | .601 | 15.9 | 21.5 | 19.0 | 9.1 | 27.0 |
| 2023–24 | 33.2 | .643 | 15.1 | 22.6 | 18.9 | 7.8 | 23.3 |
| 2024–25 | 41.2 | .648 | 15.9 | 18.4 | 17.3 | 9.5 | 28.7 |
| 2025–26 | 30.4 | .643 | 9.2 | 17.7 | 14.0 | 7.5 | 24.7 |
| Career | 38.0 | .642 | 15.2 | 20.5 | 18.0 | 8.7 | 26.0 |
Conference Splits
Per-game averages in conference play.[20]| Season | Conference | GP | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Pac-12 | 16 | 5.8 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 0.8 | .594 |
| 2023–24 | Pac-12 | 14 | 13.4 | 8.3 | 0.9 | 2.3 | .585 |
| 2024–25 | Big Ten | 16 | 19.5 | 9.4 | 2.8 | 2.8 | .621 |
NCAA Tournament Stats (2024–25)
UCLA reached the Final Four in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, where Betts played 5 games. Per-game averages:[37][31]| GP | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 23.6 | 8.4 | 2.4 | 3.0 | .716 |
