
Bruins Sign Sienna Betts, Lena Bilić
November 15, 2024 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – UCLA Women's Basketball has added Sienna Betts and Lena Bilić on National Signing Day 2024.
The 6-foot-4 Betts, younger sister of current UCLA center Lauren, is the number-two ranked recruit in the 2025 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings according to espnW.
"Sienna is flat out dominant on both ends of the floor," said The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close. "She is physical, strong and aggressive! She also has an excellent touch, is an elite passer and has added a deadly 3-point shot."
Betts was named Colorado's Gatorade Player of the Year in girls basketball for the 2023-24 season and for the second-consecutive year. The junior forward averaged 22.5 points, 15.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.3 blocks and 2.2 steals this past season at Grandview.
"I love that we get another Betts in a Bruin uniform, but Sienna is running in her own lane," said Close. "She reminds me of A'ja Wilson at that age; the sky is the limit for Sienna!"
Bilić joins the Bruins from Croatia; the 6-foot-3 guard played with club ZKK Tresnjevka 2009 last season, where she averaged 18.0 points, 7.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game.
"Lena is the best player out of Europe in her class," said Close. "She's a big guard, she has a high IQ for the game, she's a defensive playmaker, and she can really shoot it."
This past summer, Bilić dished out 12 dimes against Türkiye at the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket Division A. She averaged 16.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists for Croatia in the international competition. Through seven games with Tresnjevka this season, the Croatian is scoring 15.4 points and shooting .375 from long distance. She's averaging 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in the team's 7-0 start; Bilić has started every game.
"Lena had an excellent role model in her mom, and we are so lucky to have her joining the Bruin program. There are big things ahead for her in the Blue and Gold!"
The 6-foot-4 Betts, younger sister of current UCLA center Lauren, is the number-two ranked recruit in the 2025 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings according to espnW.
"Sienna is flat out dominant on both ends of the floor," said The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close. "She is physical, strong and aggressive! She also has an excellent touch, is an elite passer and has added a deadly 3-point shot."
Betts was named Colorado's Gatorade Player of the Year in girls basketball for the 2023-24 season and for the second-consecutive year. The junior forward averaged 22.5 points, 15.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.3 blocks and 2.2 steals this past season at Grandview.
"I love that we get another Betts in a Bruin uniform, but Sienna is running in her own lane," said Close. "She reminds me of A'ja Wilson at that age; the sky is the limit for Sienna!"
Bilić joins the Bruins from Croatia; the 6-foot-3 guard played with club ZKK Tresnjevka 2009 last season, where she averaged 18.0 points, 7.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game.
"Lena is the best player out of Europe in her class," said Close. "She's a big guard, she has a high IQ for the game, she's a defensive playmaker, and she can really shoot it."
This past summer, Bilić dished out 12 dimes against Türkiye at the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket Division A. She averaged 16.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists for Croatia in the international competition. Through seven games with Tresnjevka this season, the Croatian is scoring 15.4 points and shooting .375 from long distance. She's averaging 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in the team's 7-0 start; Bilić has started every game.
"Lena had an excellent role model in her mom, and we are so lucky to have her joining the Bruin program. There are big things ahead for her in the Blue and Gold!"
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