UCLA’s Lauren Betts balances fun, seriousness ahead of title game
PHOENIX – After a sluggish and grueling win against Texas on Friday in the 2026 Women’s Final Four, Cori Close offered her apologies to fans. Instead of experiencing overwhelming excitement at the thought of the program’s first NCAA title game, UCLA’s coach felt a tinge of guilt.
“I wanted to apologize to all the fans for the rugby match and the 23 turnovers,” Close said after the 51-44 victory. “I want to grow the game so bad. I felt guilty walking off the floor because it was not pretty in any way, shape or form.”
Close was only half-serious, of course, The Bruins are ecstatic to be playing for a national championship on Sunday against South Carolina, but at open practice on Saturday, it was clear that there is more pressure on UCLA than ever with the national spotlight on them. That pressure was palpable when fans erupted in applause every time star post player Lauren Betts appeared on the screen.
The pressure to grow the game isn’t confined to the programs and coaches, however. It reaches the players, including Betts. Betts simply combats that pressure by focusing on others.
“Every time I step out on the floor, I remember that it’s not just about me,” she said. “Just
continuing to try to grow the game in any way that I can. I think coach Cori has always done a good job of reminding us that it’s bigger than ourselves.”
Both Close and Betts said a major focus of the UCLA program is helping the community, whether that be the immediate Bruins program or the women’s basketball community. But Close has placed a big emphasis on making sure the team balances its on-court production with enjoying the memories along the way.
Betts knows this and has made plenty of memories in her third season with UCLA – especially alongside the UCLA dance team with teammates Gabriela Jaquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker.
“Char did a little collab with the dance team for her YouTube channel and I got to be part of it,” Betts said. “It was the most enjoyable experience I’ve had ever.”
Being serious when the time comes, but also letting loose and having fun with your teammates is something Betts cherishes about the Bruins.
“We just really enjoy each other,” Betts said. “We just want to make it fun. We’re obviously very serious and we like to compete and win games. But you can also enjoy the journey as well.”
When it comes to representing the sport, Betts stands on a pedestal made both by fans and other teams due to her domination on the floor.
This season, Betts averaged 17.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. She was named Big Ten Player of the Year, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and a finalist for the Naismith Trophy, given annually to the best college player.
Betts’ dominance has continued into the NCAA Tournament. She notched her third double-double of the tournament against Texas on Friday with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Betts does not feel the pressure of playing in a tournament scenario. Instead, she sees it as an opportunity to continue playing the way she has all season long.
“My biggest mindset going into every single game is just rebound and play defense and the points will come,” she said. “I have no doubt that my teammates are going to try to find me. But I think when I do my job on the defensive end, that really gets me going.”
Advancing to the title game is special enough, but UCLA has become all the more special for Betts because she shares it with her best friend and sister, Sienna.
“She’s not just my little sister,” Betts said. “We really get on each other … we bicker. I mean, the love for each other, it’s really strong. It means a lot to me to be playing in a national championship with her.”
Betts knows the importance of the game on Sunday against South Carolina – and the importance is only furthered by her desire to bring home hardware to Los Angeles.
“I don’t think I can even put it to words like how much it would mean for everyone,
their families, this program, the alums,” Betts said. “It’s just really special to see all the support that we’ve had this entire tournament.
“To bring it back would be like a dream come true for all of us. That’s the goal we’ve had from the very beginning.”
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