Lauren Betts

Lauren Betts is an American professional basketball player who plays center for the Washington Mystics of the WNBA. A two-time first-team All-American at UCLA, she led the Bruins to the 2026 NCAA national championship and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. At 6 feet 7 inches with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, she combines elite shot-blocking with a soft touch around the rim, drawing comparisons to Candace Parker. As of 2026, she has 1.2 million Instagram followers and a rookie WNBA contract after being selected first overall in the 2026 draft.[edit]

Lauren Betts was born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, because her father, John Betts, was stationed there while serving in the U.S. military. The family moved to Aurora, Colorado, when she was young. She started playing basketball at age 5, encouraged by her athletic parents, her father played college basketball at Colorado State University, and her mother, Michelle, was a collegiate volleyball player. By middle school, her height and coordination drew attention. At Grandview High School in Aurora, she averaged 17.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game as a senior, leading the Wolves to a Colorado Class 5A state championship in 2022. She was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, the McDonald's All-American Game MVP, and the Naismith High School Player of the Year. Rated the No. 1 recruit in the nation by ESPN HoopGurlz for the class of 2022, she had offers from every major program and enrolled at Stanford University.[edit]

At Stanford in 2022-2023, Betts averaged 7.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in a supporting role, earning Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors as the Cardinal reached the Elite Eight. She transferred to UCLA in 2023, citing a desire for a larger offensive role and proximity to family. In her sophomore season with the Bruins, she became the focal point, averaging 18.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, earning first-team All-Pac-12 and honorable mention All-American honors. As a junior in 2024-2025, she improved to 20.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, making first-team All-American by the AP, USBWA, and WBCA, and winning Pac-12 regular-season and tournament championships. In her senior season, she led UCLA to the NCAA national championship, posting 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks in the title game against South Carolina. She finished her UCLA career with 1,824 points, 1,052 rebounds, and a school-record 52 double-doubles. The Washington Mystics selected her first overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft. In her rookie season, she averaged 14.3 points and 9.1 rebounds, earning WNBA All-Rookie Team honors and finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting.[edit]

Betts is known for her dominant post play, soft touch around the rim, and elite shot-blocking ability. Off the court, she favors casual, athletic wear and is often seen in Nike gear. The media describes her as the future of the center position, drawing comparisons to Candace Parker and Breanna Stewart for her combination of size, skill, and mobility. Fans informally call themselves "Betts Believers" or "Team Betts." The UCLA student section created a "Betts Block Party" chant whenever she recorded a block. Her jersey (No. 22) was the top-selling UCLA women's basketball jersey in 2025-2026. On social media, she posts motivational content, training footage, and personal updates, engaging regularly with fans.[edit]

Lauren Betts has cultivated a dedicated following that, while passionate, remains distinct from the organized, named movements seen among veteran superstars. Her supporters, often informally known as 'Betts Believers' or 'Team Betts,' primarily consist of WNBA enthusiasts and college basketball followers who rallied behind her during her historic run at UCLA. Unlike athletes with decades of cultural mythology, Betts' audience engages through standard game-day support and social media interaction rather than structured fan campaigns, birthday billboards, or charity drives funded entirely by the public. The energy is palpable in the student sections where chants like the 'Betts Block Party' erupt, yet there is no single official moniker for the collective beyond these informal groupings. As she transitions into her rookie season with the Washington Mystics, her fame is built on verified athletic excellence rather than viral folklore or legendary incidents. In terms of global standing, Lauren Betts has been evaluated by iFANN's Global Fame Engine but does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). This reflects her rapid rise from a high school prodigy to an NCAA champion and top draft pick, capturing significant attention across sports media and digital platforms. While she does not hold a position in the Top-100 scope list, her trajectory suggests continued growth as she establishes her legacy in the professional league. The iFANN evaluation confirms that while she commands a massive online presence with over a million Instagram followers, she has not yet accumulated the specific historical incidents required for a formal fandom name or a ranked placement in the highest tiers of global celebrity.[edit]

Lauren Betts speaks some Spanish, having lived in Spain until age four, a detail that adds a unique layer to her background as the daughter of former USWNT player Michelle Betts. Growing up, she cited Candace Parker as her favorite player and primary inspiration for choosing the center position. An avid cook with a deep appreciation for culinary arts, Betts has mentioned she would have pursued a career as a chef had basketball not taken over. She is also a devoted pet owner, keeping a golden retriever named Kobe close by. Her collegiate dominance was unmatched; she holds the UCLA single-season record for double-doubles with 24 in the 2025-2026 season and became the first Bruin woman selected first overall in the WNBA draft. Her impact was felt early, leading Grandview High School to a state championship in 2022 before her jersey number 22 was retired by the school in 2023. A major milestone in her lore is winning the 2026 Honda Cup as the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year after leading UCLA to the national title. Fans also recall her immediate impact in the WNBA, where she recorded top points against the Los Angeles Sparks in August 2026, signaling her readiness for the professional stage right out of the gate.[edit]

Betts comes from a close-knit athletic family. Her father, John Betts, played college basketball at Colorado State University, and her mother, Michelle Betts, played volleyball at the University of Northern Colorado. She has two older brothers, Jonathan and Jordan, both of whom played college basketball. Betts graduated from UCLA in 2026 with a degree in sociology.[edit]

Betts played under UCLA head coach Cori Close, who recruited her and developed her into a national champion. She shared the court with point guard Kiki Rice, a frequent pick-and-roll partner, and guard Charisma Osborne. In the WNBA, she plays alongside guard Aari McDonald under head coach Eric Thibault. Candace Parker has publicly praised Betts and served as an idol and mentor.[edit]

As of 2026, Lauren Betts has kept her romantic life extremely private. No public relationships, dating history, or romantic partners have been confirmed by Betts herself or by credible media sources. She has stated in interviews that she prefers to keep her personal life private and focus on her basketball career. There have been no public reports linking her to any teammates, athletes, or public figures in a romantic context. Her latest reported status is single.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Lauren Betts' net worth is estimated at $1.8 Million as of 2026. Her financial foundation rests on a four-year WNBA rookie contract valued at $338,000, which includes a team option for a fifth year and a 2026 base salary of approximately $78,000. During her senior campaign at UCLA, she generated between $400,000 and $600,000 through NIL agreements featuring partnerships with Nike, Degree Deodorant, and various local Los Angeles businesses. Betts maintains a multi-year endorsement deal with Nike that contributes between $200,000 and $300,000 annually to her income. Additional revenue streams include appearance fees from speaking engagements, which add roughly $50,000 to $75,000 per year. Beyond her earnings from sports and endorsements, she has diversified her portfolio by investing in real estate within the Denver area, owning a property valued at approximately $400,000.[edit]

Betts won the Gatorade National Player of the Year (2022), McDonald's All-American Game MVP (2022), and Naismith High School Player of the Year (2022). At UCLA, she was a three-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection, two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time first-team All-American. She led UCLA to the 2026 NCAA championship and was named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She also won the WBCA Defensive Player of the Year (2026) and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team (2026).[edit]