UCLA center Lauren Betts, a top candidate for the 2026 WNBA draft’s No. 1 pick, has powered the Bruins’ 6-0 start to the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season. The 6’7″ Centennial, Colorado native averages 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game for Cori Close’s squad, which has beaten every opponent by double digits.
Betts has delivered standout performances in the first six games, a stretch that keeps her in contention for the No. 1 draft selection, which belongs to the Dallas Wings, holders after winning the 2026 draft lottery on Sunday. Although the development brings excitement to the senior center, she maintains that her primary focus is helping the Bruins win the program’s first women’s national title.
Lauren Betts Expresses Her Thoughts on the Dallas Wings’ 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery Win
In a postgame media availability session following UCLA’s 88-37 win over Southern, Betts was asked to speak about her opinion about the Wings securing another crack at the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft after the team used the privilege in selecting UConn guard Paige Bueckers. The 6’7″ center expressed excitement about the development but had a few words to say about it.
“That’s amazing. It’s so cool,” Betts said. “I don’t have a lot to say about that right now, but that is really amazing and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
The reigning WBCA and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year clarified that her focus remains on helping the Bruins win their first women’s college basketball title in history, and she’ll use the next four months to lead UCLA to its ultimate goal this year.
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Betts, who finished with 15 points, six rebounds, one assist, three steals, and two blocks in 25 minutes in the Bruins’ win over Southern, is among the favorites to be picked as No. 1 overall in next year’s WNBA draft. Other top prospects include Spanish big Awa Fam, TCU guard Olivia Miles, and UConn shooting guard Azzi Fudd.
However, a recent ESPN mock draft showed Betts has been supplanted at her lofty spot by the 6’4″ Fam. Fam’s potential is highly rated by experts and is seen as crucial for the Dallas Wings, who already have a scorer in Paige Bueckers. The UCLA slotman has been relegated to the No. 2 pick in the mock draft, where the Minnesota Lynx are projected to select her.
The Wings could benefit from either Fam or Betts, as they are deemed promising foundations for the team that will pick them in next year’s draft. However, the UCLA center has the advantage of playing against Bueckers in the NCAA, giving her some edge in terms of familiarity with her future teammate.
Moreover, Betts has a better grasp on the American style of basketball than Fam, who has spent her career playing in the Spanish league. However, the wildcard in this top pick charades is new Wings coach Jose Fernandez, who has developed a reputation for taking international stars under his wing during his tenure with South Florida and has successfully molded them into future professional players.
Whether Dallas picks Lauren Betts as their No. 1 pick or decides to go with Fam or other players in the talent-rich draft pool, the UCLA star is a definite franchise player when she’ll get picked in next year’s WNBA draft.
