Photo by: Caren Nicdao
Betts Officially Signs to Join Bruins
April 21, 2023 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – Lauren Betts has officially signed with UCLA Women's Basketball, joining the Bruins ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
The 6-foot-7 Betts played one year at Stanford, averaging 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in just 9.7 minutes per game, before coming to Westwood.
Betts was a highly sought-after recruit as she was ranked No. 1 in her high school graduating class, according to espnW's HoopGurlz; the center joins Kiki Rice (No. 2), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 19), Londynn Jones (No. 22) and Christeen Iwuala (No. 49) as one of five Bruins in the top 50 of the 2022 recruiting class. The incoming sophomore joins what Jaquez calls the "Super Six;" UCLA's current freshman class was the No. 1 recruiting class according to ESPN before the addition of No. 1-ranked Betts.
Coach's Corner
"We went into this offseason saying 'we need to get a rim protector, somebody who can really help us in the paint,'" reflected the Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close. "Not only on scoring in the paint, but also defending that area of the floor. That's the great thing about Lauren Betts, she's not limited to that. She's a great passer, she has a high basketball IQ, she wants to work her way out with a perimeter jump shot. She's a great, versatile player who fills a really big need for us."
Beyond basketball, Close was also drawn to the previously-recruited Betts by her character off the court. "What I love about Lauren is that she has a selflessness about her," said Close. "She wants to make a difference in the world, not just on the basketball court. I'm really excited to see what her service legacy will be in a Bruin uniform."
Prior to UCLA
The Centennial, Colo., native earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on Feb. 13, 2023 with the Cardinal, averaging 12.5 points, four rebounds and a pair of blocks on 80% shooting in a 2-0 weekend.
Betts was named Pac-12 All-Freshman Team Honorable Mention for her first collegiate campaign, as voted on by coaches in the Conference. The freshman appeared in 33 games during her first season in college.
Before coming to the NCAA, Betts was a McDonald's All-American out of Grandview High School. The freshman notably graduated from the same high school as UCLA all-time great Michaela Onyenwere, who finished No. 4 on the Bruins' all-time scoring list (1,888 points) after coming to UCLA.
The center was honored as the two-time Colorado Gatorade Player of the year in both 2021 and 2022. She also earned the WBCA High School Player of the Year award was a Jordan Brand Classic All American in 2022.
Betts was the CHSAA Colorado Player of the year her senior season, winning the Colorado state championship with Grandview. She averaged 17.2 points, 11 rebounds, 3.6 blocks and 3.5 assists in her final high school season.
The 6-foot-7 Betts played one year at Stanford, averaging 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in just 9.7 minutes per game, before coming to Westwood.
Betts was a highly sought-after recruit as she was ranked No. 1 in her high school graduating class, according to espnW's HoopGurlz; the center joins Kiki Rice (No. 2), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 19), Londynn Jones (No. 22) and Christeen Iwuala (No. 49) as one of five Bruins in the top 50 of the 2022 recruiting class. The incoming sophomore joins what Jaquez calls the "Super Six;" UCLA's current freshman class was the No. 1 recruiting class according to ESPN before the addition of No. 1-ranked Betts.
Coach's Corner
"We went into this offseason saying 'we need to get a rim protector, somebody who can really help us in the paint,'" reflected the Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close. "Not only on scoring in the paint, but also defending that area of the floor. That's the great thing about Lauren Betts, she's not limited to that. She's a great passer, she has a high basketball IQ, she wants to work her way out with a perimeter jump shot. She's a great, versatile player who fills a really big need for us."
Beyond basketball, Close was also drawn to the previously-recruited Betts by her character off the court. "What I love about Lauren is that she has a selflessness about her," said Close. "She wants to make a difference in the world, not just on the basketball court. I'm really excited to see what her service legacy will be in a Bruin uniform."
Prior to UCLA
The Centennial, Colo., native earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on Feb. 13, 2023 with the Cardinal, averaging 12.5 points, four rebounds and a pair of blocks on 80% shooting in a 2-0 weekend.
Betts was named Pac-12 All-Freshman Team Honorable Mention for her first collegiate campaign, as voted on by coaches in the Conference. The freshman appeared in 33 games during her first season in college.
Before coming to the NCAA, Betts was a McDonald's All-American out of Grandview High School. The freshman notably graduated from the same high school as UCLA all-time great Michaela Onyenwere, who finished No. 4 on the Bruins' all-time scoring list (1,888 points) after coming to UCLA.
The center was honored as the two-time Colorado Gatorade Player of the year in both 2021 and 2022. She also earned the WBCA High School Player of the Year award was a Jordan Brand Classic All American in 2022.
Betts was the CHSAA Colorado Player of the year her senior season, winning the Colorado state championship with Grandview. She averaged 17.2 points, 11 rebounds, 3.6 blocks and 3.5 assists in her final high school season.
Players Mentioned
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