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. Betts was drafted fourth overall by the 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, just eight days after leading the Bruins to its first-ever NCAA national championship with a win over South Carolina . Betts is 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. Guard Kiki Rice, forward Angela Dugaliฤ 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.