Washington Mystics select Lauren Betts with 4th pick | 2026 WNBA Draft

0:00 With the fourth pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, the Washington Mystics select Lauren Betts, UCLA. [cheering] >> Well, a pretty great year for Lauren Batch. just keeps getting better. You see the hugs from her family, the reaction from her national champion winning head coach, [cheering] the celebration for Lauren Bets who has so many of her teammates here. And after just an incredible

0:45 [snorts] NCAA tournament where her already high stock just continued to rise, Lauren Betts is headed to Washington with the fourth overall pick. Lauren Bats is virtually unstoppable in the paint, but she's effective also as both an off ball and on ball screener, shot blocker inside on the defensive end of the floor, but also showed that she can [music] switch and handle players out on the perimeter. And yes, Ryan, a ridiculous performance from her all throughout the course of the NCAA tournament. I love that you mentioned her setting ball screens and off ball screens because a lot of times watching UCLA play, her [music] willingness to set a good screen is what set up her seal on the inside. That level of

1:31 unselfishness that Lauren Best played with [music] and I love that we showed the highlights because she dominates in the paint, but a lot of those plays started outside [music] the paint. She showed so much more mobility this season, which will certainly take her to the next level. set a program record too [music] for most points in a single tournament as Holly Row is with Lauren Betts. >> Well, Lauren, they're just talking about how you have adapted and evolved this season and we could see it on and off the court. You have changed. What changed about you that's made you such a great pick right now in the W. >> I feel like I just play with joy. This season has been so special. I've enjoyed every second. I'm playing with my best friends, my sister. I've had the most amazing season and I feel like you can just see all the positivity that I play with. >> It It really does show. It's also unique

2:18 because you've got um your your table stood up and I thought maybe they would block the entire room. Dad, mom, everybody's tall over there. Um we we are so intrigued. I want to see you and Kiki together. Like how fun is this? You've played against her a lot, right? >> Yes. That's my girl. That's my sister. And uh also I don't know if you guys know but my coach is on the team as well. So that's pretty interesting >> right Michaela on where are you on Michaela? Okay your coach at UCLA assistant coach for a national championship team. She just signed a contract with Washington. So will you have to listen to her? >> Um I'm still going to call her coach Mick just to get on her nerves. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Oh my gosh. That is so unique. Um before I let you get out of here, your journey has been vast. You end it with the national championship and now eight days later the the number

3:04 four pick. How would you describe this beautiful journey you've been on in life Lauren? >> It's been amazing. I've grown so much. My confidence I feel like I've just finally owned who I am as a person, as a player, and I'm just ready to see what the future holds. I'm really excited. >> Thank you. Can't wait.