Lauren Betts, a 6-foot-7 center from UCLA, was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2026 WNBA Draft. This follows her pivotal role in leading UCLA to its first NCAA national championship.
Lauren Betts didn't have to wait long to hear WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert call her name.
The 6-foot-7 center out of UCLA was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2026 WNBA Draft, just eight days after leading the Bruins to its first-ever NCAA national championship with a win over South Carolina.
Betts is the seventh first-round WNBA draft pick that UCLA has produced, following in the footsteps of Natalie Williams (1999, No. 3, Utah), Maylana Martin (2000, No. 10, Minnesota), Lisa Willis (2006, No. 5, Los Angeles), Noelle Quinn (2007, No. 4, Minnesota), Jordin Canada (2018, No. 5, Seattle) and Michaela Onyenwere (2021, No. 6, New York).
That number grew as guardĀ Gabriela Jaquez went fifth overall to the Chicago Sky. GuardĀ Kiki Rice, forwardĀ Angela DugaliÄ and guardĀ Gianna Kneepkens are also projected to go in the first round.
Azzi Fudd of UConn arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Lauren Betts of UCLA.
Awa Fam Thiam of Spain arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Flau'jae Johnson of LSU arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Marta Suarez of Spain arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Olivia Miles of TCU arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
TaāNiya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Hannah O'Flynn arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Jazlyn Guerra arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Luciana Kristen arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Courtney Williams arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Brittney Elena arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Azzi Fudd of UConn arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Azzi Fudd of UConn arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Lauren Betts of UCLA.
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Awa Fam Thiam of Spain arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Flau'jae Johnson of LSU arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Marta Suarez of Spain arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Olivia Miles of TCU arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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TaāNiya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Hannah O'Flynn arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Jazlyn Guerra arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Luciana Kristen arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Courtney Williams arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
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Brittney Elena arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Betts is an elite finisher at the rim on offense and rim protector with great timing on defense.
"My biggest mindset going into every single game is just rebound and play defense and the points will come," Betts said on April 4. "I think my entire goal this entire season is just to do my job and protect the rim... Just protect the rim, don't let people get easy shots. If guards get beat, I'll be there to help them."
Betts' averages slightly dipped during her senior season ā 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 block in 37 gamesā but she worked her way up many draft boards behind a dominant performance in UCLA's national title run. Betts averaged 21 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.8 blocks during the tournament, including a key block against Texas' Madison Booker in the Final Four to advance to UCLA's first NCAA national title game in program history.
"When that play happened, I really have so much confidence that every time she is in a matchup, she's going to find a way to alter, block, scare somebody from doing that. I just think she's spectacular," Close said of the game-saving block. "People have asked me, Do you think she's mobile enough? I'm like, Well, question answered... Watch her move her feet. Watch her when we can switch with her."
Betts was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Betts was also named the Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, in addition to earning an All-American First Team nod.
Reach USA TODAY National Womenās Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lauren Betts of UCLA drafted fourth overall by Washington Mystics
Lauren Betts was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics.
Lauren Betts led UCLA to its first-ever NCAA national championship just eight days before the draft.
UCLA has produced seven first-round WNBA draft picks, including Lauren Betts.
Gabriela Jaquez was selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky, following Lauren Betts.
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