Lauren Betts was selected fourth overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft by Washington Mystics. The pick occurred on the night of April 13th in Nova York. The UCLA player led Bruins to the NCAA national title just eight days earlier. Betts became the first athlete in UCLA history to be drafted by the women’s professional league.
The 2.01 meter center left the gym The Shed at Hudson Yards with a celebration alongside her teammates. Gabriela Jaquez was the fifth overall pick, to Chicago Sky. Kiki Rice was the sixth, to Toronto Tempo. Cinco UCLA players entered in the first round and six overall. Isso Set a record for the college program.
Betts’s performance in the national title season
Betts played center pivot during Bruins’s campaign. Ela averaged 17.1 points per game his senior season. The athlete also had 8.8 rebounds per game and shot 58.2% from the field.
Those numbers helped UCLA win the first national title of the NCAA era. Betts received the Jogadora Mais Destacada award from Final Four. Ela was also named to the AP’s All-American First Team and won the Jogadora awards from Ano and Defensora of Ano of Big Ten.
Defensive performance stood out throughout the season. Betts He played with mobility and presence in rim protection. Seu Offensive growth included mid-range shots and movement in the paint. The season marked personal evolution in confidence and identity as a player.
Lauren Betts is heading to Washington as the No. 4 pick in the 2026#WNBADraftpresented by State Street Investment Management SPYpic.twitter.com/QPWLkfLRZH
— WNBA (@WNBA)April 13, 2026
Immediate reaction after choosing
Betts spoke to ESPN shortly after the selection. Ela said that he plays with joy and that the season was very positive. The athlete mentioned that she grew a lot, gained confidence and assumed who she is on and off the court.
Betts’s family followed the moment on Nova York. Imagens showed emotion the moment her name was announced by the WNBA commissioner. Washington Mystics was looking for internal reinforcement to rebuild the team.
The choice of Betts came right after Azzi Fudd in first place for Dallas Wings. Olivia Miles was second, for Minnesota Lynx. Awa Fam Thiam was third, for Seattle Storm.
UCLA’s historical context in the draft
UCLA had never seen a player selected in the first round of the WNBA. The program’s last athlete drafted was Charisma Osborne, in 2024, in position 25. Agora Los Angeles’s team made history with six names called in the same draft.
The event repeated a rare feat. Foi only the second time that three players from the same university were selected in a row in the first round. The first incident happened in 2016 with UConn.
The companions of Betts also had defined destinies. Angela Dugalic went to Washington Mystics in the ninth choice. Outras Bruins were selected in later rounds, including Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker for Connecticut Sun.
What to expect in the WNBA
Washington Mystics gains a pivot with physical presence and recent high-level experience. Betts Enters the league after peak season. Adapting to the professional rhythm will require adjustments in speed and court spacing.
The center brings a history of leadership in a championship team. Sua Rebounding and defensive ability can help Washington’s team improve the paint. The use of shots indicates offensive potential close to the rim.
The WNBA is experiencing a period of growth. The 2026 draft reflects greater interest in talent coming from strong programs. UCLA stands out as a provider of multiple athletes ready for the next level.
- Lauren Betts: fourth overall pick, Washington Mystics
- Gabriela Jaquez: fifth overall pick, Chicago Sky
- Kiki Rice: sixth overall pick, Toronto Tempo
- Five UCLA players in the first round
- Six UCLA players in the full draft
- UCLA’s first national title in the NCAA era
- Betts named Final Four Most Outstanding Player
The selection of Betts opens a new chapter for UCLA women’s basketball. The program now has a direct presence in the WNBA with several representatives. The transition to the professional league begins with training and pre-season over the next few months.
