The college women’s basketball season is slowly heating up, with players finding their rhythm. Some even created history with their early performances.
Audi Crooks set a program record during her game against the Valparaiso Crusaders, while Liv McGill set basketball history with rare stats. Yet Lauren Betts remains the top pick in the mock drafts.
In Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft, the UCLA Bruins’ superstar takes the pole position as the top pick for the upcoming draft, following her overall gameplay over the years.
Lauren Betts’ Consistency Earns Her Top Pick In WNBA Mock Draft
College basketball may have seen many emerging stars and even a record-setting game from freshmen, but one thing that stands out for WNBA sides is the consistency, especially from the rookies.
The Bruins are an offensive powerhouse this season with six to seven players capable of delivering double-digit scoring on a nightly basis. While Betts is certainly one of them, she adjusted her game in the 2025-26 season, adapting to the style of her guards and assuming a more defensive role.
Lauren Betts is a MUST-WATCH player in the Big Ten. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/JGjmXBjElH
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 12, 2025
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Averaging around 14 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks per game over three seasons, the player not only maintained her career average but improved on assists (from 1.2 to four) this season.
She had her career-best performances in the 2024-25 season, leading the UCLA side to its first-ever Final Four season, which put her at the top in initial mock drafts. And now, with her overall impact on the games, the player has a firm grip on the possible first overall pick.
Interestingly, she could partner with her rival, Paige Bueckers, in the WNBA, as the Wings hold the top odds of landing the top pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Dallas Wings Would Benefit From Lauren Betts’ Addition
One thing that was missing from the Wings’ last season’s performance was a strong defensive game and a paint-dominant player. The Bruins’ 6-foot-7 center fits in perfectly with these requirements, and the Wings will also have a strong young core, with the guard-forward combo, for the future.
Odds to get top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft:
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) November 7, 2025
Wings – 42.0%
Lynx – 26.1%
Storm – 16.7%
Mystics – 9.7%
Sky – 5.5%
The Draft Lottery will take place on November 23.
Moreover, the star is one of the strongest players in the paint, who is accustomed to double and even triple-teaming, which makes it difficult for opponents to use physicality as a weapon against her. The team had a subpar 19-65 over the last two seasons, but the addition of Betts’ quality and her combination with PB would change the complete dynamics in the league and make the side a playoff contender immediately.