Lauren Betts started the 2025 season as the consensus top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. But after a slow start to the season, she was replaced by Azzi Fudd and even fell behind Awa Fam. Betts was hampered by an elbow injury that affected her in the Texas game. Then lingered for a few more games before turning it on again. She has returned to her dominant self as of late and is the best player on offense and defense for the Bruins. She will be very good at the next level whoever is able to get her.
Michael Voepel's 2026 WNBA mock draft is here‼️
— espnW (@espnW) February 13, 2026
UConn's Azzi Fudd could be reunited with Paige Bueckers in Dallas 👀
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Betts is averaging 16.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this season. Down from her 2024 season that saw her average 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. The 2024 team was not as talented as this team. As they now have Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker to round out the starting five. But Betts blocks per game are down from 2.9 to 2.1 and field goal percentage from 64.8% to 57.7%.
After two straight games, though earlier in the season, where she struggled against Texas and Tennessee. She has scored in double digits in 16 straight games and is showing that she is ready to carry this team again on both ends. Now with more help on both sides of the floor. This team looks to make a championship push before their entire starting lineup graduates out. This is the season to make it happen.
Lauren Betts (2/8/26) pic.twitter.com/Pk3NsrQX4I
— eke (@ryaneke_) February 8, 2026
Betts doesn’t need to have the season she had in 2024. She has shown more efficiency recently and looks to continue to do so in the last stretch. Then hopefully the team can win the Big Ten tournament and head into March with momentum. The team will go as far as Betts takes them. Which could be a championship and not losing again the rest of this season if all goes according to planned.