Lauren Betts picked fourth overall in WNBA draft by Washington Mystics

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 Monday, April 13, just eight days after leading the Bruins to its first-ever NCAA national championship with a win over South Carolina.

“This season has been so special. I've enjoyed every second,” Betts said. "I'm playing with my best friends, my sister. I've had the most amazing season, and I feel like you can just see all the positivity that I play with."

Betts was 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 guard Gabriela Jaquez went fifth overall to the Chicago Sky and guard Kiki Rice was selected with the sixth overall pick by the Toronto Tempo, bringing the number of UCLA's all-time first-round selections to nine. It marked only the second time in WNBA history that three consecutive picks were selected from the same school. UConn first accomplished the feat in 2016 following the selection of Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck with the first, second and third overall pick.

UCLA forward Angela Dugalić and guard Gianna Kneepkens are also projected to go in the first round.

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 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 – 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 block in 37 games – 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 propel UCLA to its 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 Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at [email protected] and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

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