Who is Lauren Betts? Meet UCLA women’s basketball star forward

UCLA women’s basketball is one win away from appearing in its first Final Four in program history.

And a big reason for the top-seeded Bruins storybook season has been their starting center, junior Lauren Betts.

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Betts, who hails from Centennial, Colorado, has been a force to be reckoned with inside the paint this past season for opponents and has caused headaches all year on how to defend her as, she is one of the tallest players in women’s college basketball.

More: Don’t blink, or UCLA will run right over you in women’s March Madness | Opinion

She entered Friday’s women’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game vs. Ole Miss scoring in double figures in all but two games this season for UCLA, who are seeking their first national championship title in program history. She also led the Bruins to a 76-62 victory against the Rebels.

Here’s what you need to know about Betts as UCLA prepared for to face LSU in the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament:

Who is Lauren Betts?

Lauren Betts is the starting center for UCLA women’s basketball, and one of the top players in the country.

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The 6-foot-7 junior center is in her second season with the Bruins after starting her collegiate career at Stanford.

A former McDonald’s All-American coming out of high school at Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, Lauren Betts was named one of four finalists for both the Naismith and defensive player of the year on March 21. She was also named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year this past season, after averaging a conference-best 2.8 blocks per game in the regular season while also breaking UCLA’s single-season blocks record.

In UCLA’s second-round win over Richmond, Betts became the first player in program history to record at least 30 points and at least 10 rebounds in a game. She finished with 30 points on 14-of-17 shooting from the field and 14 boards, giving her just the fourth 30-point outing by a player in a postseason game in program history.

How tall is Lauren Betts?

Lauren Betts is listed at 6-foot-7 on UCLA’s official roster.

Lauren Betts points today

Betts racked up 31 points and 10 rebounds Friday against Ole Miss during the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

Lauren Betts stats

Here’s a look at Betts’ season averages at UCLA entering Friday’s game:

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• Field Goal Shooting: 64.3%

Here’s a breakdown of Betts’ career stats entering Friday’s game:

• 2022-23 (Stanford): 5.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.9 blocks

• 2023-24 (UCLA): 14.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.0 blocks

• 2024-25 (UCLA): 19.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.9 blocks

Lauren Betts sister

As previously reported by USA TODAY High School Sports’ Todd Adams, Betts’ younger sister, Sienna Betts, is part of UCLA’s incoming freshman recruiting class.

Sienna Betts committed to the Bruins in November 2023 and is the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 women’s basketball recruiting class, according to 247Sports’ Composite Rankings. She is the No. 1-ranked power forward and No. 1 player in the state of Colorado in the class.

“Sienna is flat-out dominant on both ends of the floor,” UCLA coach Cori Close said in a statement in November when the Bruins announced their 2025 recruiting class. “She is physical, strong and aggressive! She also has an excellent touch, is an elite passer and has added a deadly 3-point shot.”