Lauren Betts wants to learn from younger sister Sienna as UCLA commit earns McDonald's All-American Game MVP

UCLA’s Lauren Betts is eager to learn from her younger sister, Sienna, as the Bruins commit shines on the national stage like her sister. Lauren, a junior center, played a key role in the Bruins’ Final Four run with standout performances against Ole Miss and LSU.

Meanwhile, Grandview High School (Colorado) standout Sienna committed to UCLA in November 2023 after considering Duke, North Carolina, Notre Dame, South Carolina, UConn and USC. She earned MVP honors at the McDonald's All-American Game on Tuesday night at Barclays Center. Sienna tallied 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists as her West team won 104-82 against the East.

Speaking on "SportsCenter" on Wednesday, Lauren praised her sister’s talent.

“She's genuinely one of the smartest players I've ever been around,” Lauren said (4:12). “She's just amazing and I'm so looking forward to her being on the floor just because I feel like not only am I going to teach her so much, she's also going to teach me.”

Lauren is excited to share the court with Sienna and believes their chemistry will make them a strong duo at UCLA.

Lauren Betts delivered when it mattered

Lauren Betts’ brief absence gave UCLA a crucial test ahead of the Final Four. If the Bruins' Elite Eight win over LSU proved anything, it’s that they’re more than just their star center.

Now, they face UConn, the program with the most Final Four appearances in history. The Huskies will make their 24th trip on Friday in Tampa, while UCLA reaches this stage for the first time under the NCAA banner.

Lauren Betts (51) gets a hug - Source: Imagn

In No. 1 UCLA’s 72-65 win over LSU, Betts battled constant double- and triple-teams, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting. But she delivered when it mattered, kicking the ball out to Gabriela Jaquez for a clutch 3 that helped seal the game.

“Gabs and I pretty much always play off of each other, so that was pretty normal,” Betts said, according to Field Level Media.

The Bruins (34-2) will need another all-around effort to take down No. 2 UConn (35-3), the sport’s most decorated powerhouse.

Also Read: Lauren Betts' mom drops 1-word reaction as UCLA star and her coach Cori Close bag double Naismith honors

About the author

Mohammad Asif Ansari is a journalist covering college football and basketball at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology and brings four years of experience as an NFL and EdTech writer.

While acknowledging the dominance of professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, Asif is drawn to the raw energy and unpredictability of college sports, particularly football and basketball.

Jalen Hurts stands out as Asif's all-time favorite college player, celebrated for his remarkable success on the football field and impressive leadership skills.

In his reporting, Asif seeks to capture the essence of college athletics, delving into the human stories behind the game. From the trials and triumphs of student-athletes to the strategic genius of coaches like Nick Saban, he strives to paint a vivid picture of the college sports landscape.

Asif ensures that his reporting is both informative and ethically sound, meticulously verifying sources and facts to provide readers with reliable and trustworthy content.

When not writing, Asif practices basic MMA, hones his biking skills and expands his language proficiency in Urdu and Arabic.

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Edited by Chaitanya Prakash