UCLA's Lauren Betts selected 4th overall by Mystics in 2026 WNBA draft

Haley Sawyer, The Orange County Register on Apr 13, 2026

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Just one week after leading UCLA to its first NCAA championship, two-time All-American center Lauren Betts was selected by the Washington Mystics as the fourth overall pick of the 2026 WNBA draft Monday evening.

“I’ve grown so much,” Betts said during ESPN’s live broadcast. “My confidence – I feel like I’ve just finally owned who I am as a person and as a player and I’m ready to see what the future holds.”

She joins UCLA alumnus and assistant coach Michaela Onyenwere in Washington as well as former USC player Kiki Iriafen.

Betts led the Bruins with 17.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season. She earned multiple awards this season and was recognized as the Most Outstanding Player for the NCAA Final Four and the Lisa Leslie Award winner as the nation’s best center.

She was the first player in men’s or women’s college basketball to have an NCAA Tournament with more than 125 points, more than 50 rebounds and more than 15 blocked shots while shooting 65% or better.

UCLA had six players eligible for the WNBA draft and two more immediately followed Betts to the podium.

Guard Gabriela Jaquez was selected fifth overall by the Chicago Sky, then guard Kiki Rice was selected sixth by the expansion Toronto Tempo. UCLA forward Angela Dugalić was selected a few picks later, joining Betts in Washington after the Mystics selected her with the ninth overall pick.

Guard Gianna Kneepkens, and guard Charlisse Leger-Walker were also selected during the draft.

Betts, Rice, Jaquez, Kneepkens and Dugalić were all invited to the draft, which was held at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. UCLA set a new record for players drafted from a single school with all six eligible Bruins drafted.

UCLA beat Texas, 51-44, in the national semifinals before crushing South Carolina, 79-51, in the national championship game.

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