Lauren Betts goes fourth overall to the Washington Mystics

This post was updated April 13 at 4:59 p.m.

Senior center Lauren Betts was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics as the first UCLA player to hear her name called.

The 2026 Big Ten Player of the Year led the Bruins in scoring and rebounding during their 2025-26 national championship-winning campaign with 17.1 points and 8.8 boards per game. Betts, the 2025 Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year, also led her team in blocks with 76 this season.

Prior to joining UCLA in 2023, Betts spent her freshman year at Stanford, where she averaged  5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game across just 9.7 minutes played. Betts entered the portal following the conclusion of her first collegiate season, ultimately transferring to coach Cori Close’s squad.

In Westwood, the 6-foot-7 center helped lead the Bruins to back-to-back Big Ten tournament championships and the program’s first two Final Four appearances.

The NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player joins the Mystic as a more traditional post presence, something that has taken a backseat to versatile guard players in the WNBA in recent years. Her 68.6% field goal clip across her senior season, as well as her defensive presence and ability to battle through double teams, will make her an invaluable addition regardless.

Betts will join UCLA assistant coach and alumnus forward Michaela Onyenwere – the 2021 WNBA Rookie of the Year – in Washington D.C. in addition to her former Stanford teammate Kiki Iriafen.

(Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)