The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball season is inching closer and closer by the day, and Cori Close’s squad is headlined my the arguable best player in college basketball — senior center Lauren Betts.
As UCLA searches to break through last season’s Final Four ceiling and reach a national championship, time is running out in Betts’ tenure in Westwood, as she’s preparing to take the next step in the WNBA.
ESPN released an early 2026 WNBA mock draft ahead of the college basketball season, and Betts was projected to go No. 1 and team up with her 2025 Final Four foe and eventual national champion Paige Bueckers.
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots against UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) during first quarter in a semifinal of the women’s 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What ESPN senior WNBA writer Michael Voepel said about the projection:
Mar 23, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) fights off Richmond Spiders forward Addie Budnik (20) during the third quarter of an NCAA Tournament second round game at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Betts isn’t the only Bruin projected to go in the draft. UCLA will be well represented, according to ESPN.
Gianna Kneepkens — No. 11, Washington Mystics
Mar 21, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Utah Utes guard Gianna Kneepkens (5) drives past Indiana Hoosiers guard Chloe Moore-McNeil (22) in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images / Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Kiki Rice — No. 14, Seattle Storm
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) dribbles against Connecticut Huskies guard KK Arnold (2) during first half in a semifinal of the women’s 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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