UCLA Bruins coach Cori Close reinforced the roster by acquiring highly touted players who will help them make the 2026 national championship final and possibly win their first-ever title. The team added Utah transfer guard Gianna Kneepkens and No. 2-ranked freshman Sienna Betts to help First-Team All-American and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Betts achieve the team’s primary objective.
UCLA, which advanced to the Final Four last year for its best-ever finish in program history, opens the season at No. 3 in the AP Preseason Poll behind South Carolina and defending champion UConn.
However, the Bruins will open their campaign on Monday against the San Diego State Aztecs without Sienna. Find out what kept the sister of Lauren sidelined for the game against the Aztecs.
Injury Sidelined Sienna Betts for UCLA’s Season Opener Against San Diego State
UCLA women’s college basketball coach Close announced on Saturday that Sienna sustained a lower left leg injury during a closed scrimmage against UC Riverside last month.
“Sienna is going to be a no-go for our opener,” said Close. “She’s coming along great, she’s doing a great job, but we’re going to rule her out for Monday. We’re excited to get her back and get her in the mix.”
In the meantime, UCLA forwards Timea Gardiner, Amanda Muse, and Angela Dugalic are likely to share valuable minutes in Betts’ absence against San Diego State.
The 6’4″ Grandview High School standout is listed day-to-day and is expected to return this season, the UCLA coach added. Close sees this as an opportunity for the McDonald’s All-American to develop her skills going into the team’s more critical games.
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She also praised Sienna for her ability to adapt to the team’s system and put everything into practice during team scrimmages.
The UCLA coach took exception to Betts’ tendency to turn over her right shoulder and shoot with her left hand in the low block. The coaching staff devoted its time during the offseason, aiming to convert her into a dual-threat player by the start of the 2025-26 season.
“There’s going to be a silver lining of this little ‘return-to-play’ time for her, that she’s going to be able to really focus on some work in her shooting pocket. It’s really hard to fix in the middle of the season,” Close said.
UCLA has enormous expectations for the younger Betts at the start of the season. She’s projected to put in significant minutes at the power forward spot for the Bruins, who are projected to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten Conference.
The Bruins will aim to secure their first win of the season against San Diego State in the Orange County Hoops Classic on Monday at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Tipoff is set at 10:00 p.m. ET on B1G+.