UCLA's Lauren Betts hopes fans give Texas star Madison Booker 'a little bit of grace'
With Texas trailing by three points in the final minute of a Final Four game, Madison Booker had a shot blocked by UCLA center Lauren Betts. One day later, Betts expressed her support for Booker.
As her team prepped in Phoenix for the national championship game on Saturday, UCLA center Lauren Betts rallied behind Texas women's basketball star Madison Booker. Booker's play in a 51-44 loss to UCLA in Friday's Final Four game has become the subject of criticism since the Longhorns' season ended. A junior forward, Booker shot 3-for-23 from the field and was held to just a season-low six points in the seven-point setback.
With Texas trailing by three points in the final minute, Booker also had a shot blocked by the 6-foot-7 Betts . Texas All-American forward Madison Booker (left) and UCLA All-American center Lauren Betts seen in a collage. (Getty Images) One day later, Betts was asked a question about using her size to stymie Booker and the Texas offense.
Before giving her answer, Betts took a moment to both praise and defend Booker. "She's such an amazing player," said Betts, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds against the Longhorns. "I don't want yesterday to take over the fact that she's had an amazing season.
I've seen a lot of the stuff that she's getting right now. She really doesn't deserve it all. I wish everybody would give her a little bit of grace because she's a human at the end of the day.