Why Lauren Betts’ WNBA Draft Stock May Already Be Down originally appeared on Sports news. Add The Sporting News as Favorite source by clicking here.
UCLA Bruins Star Lauren Betts hopes to win a national championship by leaving the NCAA.
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Her long-awaited entry into the WNBA will follow – and for over a year, Betts has been touted as a potentially transformative player.
But Betts may no longer be a favorite with one of the top two or three picks in the loaded 2026 WNBA Draft. It’s part of a swirling intrigue surrounding the selection committee that reached a new level this week, when the Dallas Wings won the right to select first overall in April’s draft.
Betts ‘falls’ to fourth place in new mock draft
The United States todayThe new WNBA mock draft places Betts fourth overall behind the Washington Mystics – who are building an enviable young team centered around draft picks.
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In 2025, the Mystics took Sonia Citron third overall before selecting Kiki Iriafen with the fifth pick and choosing Georgia Amoore sixth. Although a knee injury kept Amoore from playing last season, Citron and Iriafen were named WNBA All-Stars; Citron finished second to Paige Bueckers in Rookie of the Year voting.
Adding Betts to this group could give the Mystics the best young core in the league.
Concerns have been raised about Betts’ ability to adapt to the speed of the professional game; her screen setting needs work, and double teams can take her to the next level.
Additionally, Betts missed UCLA’s 89-59 win over Duke on Thursday due to an elbow injury – just after fourth-ranked Texas held her to just eight points in the Bruins’ only loss to date Tuesday.
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But Betts’ size should make her an elite rim protector in the W, and playing with Amoore and Citron would allow her to use her soft touch at close range.
Although her stats are down this season (20.2 points per game in 2024/25 to 14.1 points per game in 2025/26), Betts still projects as a top prospect and Washington could be the perfect landing spot for her.
