Lauren Betts is a name every basketball fan should remember. At just 21 years old, she is already one of the brightest prospects in women’s basketball. Standing tall at 6 ft 7 in, she plays as a center for UCLA and has become one of the most dominant forces in college hoops. From her early days in high school to breaking records at UCLA, Betts is proving why many see her as a future WNBA superstar.
Early Life and Background
Lauren Marie Betts was born on October 15, 2003, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. She later moved to Aurora, Colorado, where she grew up and started playing basketball. Her parents both come from sporting backgrounds her father, Andy Betts, was a professional basketball player who spent 14 years competing in Europe, while her mother, Michelle, was a volleyball champion at Long Beach State. With such strong roots in sports, it is no surprise that Lauren developed into an elite athlete.
Betts also has three siblings one younger sister and two younger brothers making her the eldest in the family.
High School Journey
Betts attended Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado. From the start, she stood out for her height, shot-blocking, and dominance inside the paint. By her junior year, she was averaging 17.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and nearly four blocks per game. She was named Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year and even led her team to a state championship in her senior year.
ESPN ranked her as the No. 1 recruit in the 2022 class, and she had offers from some of the biggest programs in the country. She initially chose Stanford, where she played her freshman season, before transferring to UCLA in 2023.
College Career at UCLA
At Stanford, Betts showed flashes of her talent, but her move to UCLA took her game to the next level. She quickly became a dominant scorer and defender, averaging over 20 points per game in the 2024–25 season while shooting more than 64% from the field. She also set new records, including UCLA’s single-season block record with 100 blocks.
Her biggest highlight came in a game against Maryland, where she scored a career-high 33 points. With performances like this, Betts has established herself as one of the best bigs in college basketball.
Lauren Betts Awards and Achievements
Lauren Betts has already collected several major awards in her young career. Some of her biggest achievements include:
- AP Player of the Year (2025)
- Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award (2025) – first UCLA player to win it
- Naismith Defensive Player of the Year (2025)
- WBCA Defensive Player of the Year (2025)
- Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (unanimous selection)
- Multiple 30-point, 10-rebound games in the NCAA tournament
These honors put her in the same conversation as legends like Brittney Griner and Elena Delle Donne, who also made history at the college level before dominating the WNBA.
Lauren Betts Personal Life and Off-Court Work
Away from the court, Betts is known to be private and focused. She has been open about mental health challenges and even took time off in 2024 for recovery. Since then, she has grown into a vocal leader and role model for her team.
She is also involved in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, partnering with brands such as Grandeur Models, WME Sports, and Chargel. Beyond basketball, she has an interest in modeling, photography, and women empowerment projects.
Lauren Betts Net Worth and NIL Value
As a college player, Betts does not have a professional salary yet, but her NIL deals are strong. While her exact net worth is not publicly known, top NIL athletes can make tens of thousands of dollars per deal. With her popularity and future WNBA career ahead, Betts’ financial value is only expected to rise.
Lauren Betts Future in the WNBA
Betts is expected to declare for the 2026 WNBA Draft, and many experts believe she will be a top-5 pick. Her size, scoring ability, and defensive presence make her a rare talent. Once drafated, her rookie salary could be anywhere from $80K–$120K, with much more to come through endorsements and contracts.
Lauren Betts is not just another talented player she is shaping up to be a generational star. Her mix of size, skill, and leadership makes her a complete package. Fans, coaches, and scouts all believe she can be one of the defining players of the next WNBA era.
She is still just 21, but her story is already full of achievements, records, and inspiration. From being the No.1 recruit to becoming AP Player of the Year, Betts has proven she belongs at the very top of women’s basketball. The world now waits to see her next chapter in the WNBA.
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