UCLA's Lauren Betts set for NCAA championship debut against experienced South Carolina

Bruins aim to cap historic season with first national title, but must overcome Dawn Staley's battle-tested Gamecocks

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:18am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a women's basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into angular, overlapping shapes and the ball and court lines creating a sense of movement and energy.The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament final will showcase the next generation of WNBA talent as UCLA and South Carolina battle for the national championship.Phoenix Today

The UCLA Bruins, led by senior center Lauren Betts, are set to make their first-ever NCAA championship game appearance on Sunday. They will face a formidable challenge in the experienced and gritty South Carolina Gamecocks, coached by Dawn Staley, who is no stranger to this stage. While the Bruins have plenty of talent, including six potential WNBA draft picks, they will need a complete 40-minute effort to overcome South Carolina's depth and poise.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the top women's basketball programs in the country, with UCLA seeking its first national title and South Carolina looking to add to its championship pedigree. The game will showcase the next generation of WNBA talent and provide a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The details

UCLA is making its first-ever appearance in the NCAA championship game, led by senior center Lauren Betts. The Bruins advanced to the final by defeating Texas in a physical 'rugby' match, as described by head coach Cori Close. Meanwhile, South Carolina and head coach Dawn Staley have extensive experience at this stage, having won the national title in 2017. The Gamecocks will rely on their fearless leader, Raven Johnson, and the scoring prowess of sophomore Joyce Edwards to try and overwhelm the Bruins.

  • The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game will be played on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • UCLA last reached the Final Four in 2025, where they were eliminated by UConn.

The players

Lauren Betts

A senior center for the UCLA Bruins, Betts is one of six Bruins players who could be selected in the upcoming WNBA draft. She has been a key contributor for UCLA throughout her college career.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Staley led her team to the national championship in 2017 and has extensive experience at the highest level of women's college basketball.

Raven Johnson

The fearless leader of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Johnson will be a crucial player in the team's quest for another national title.

Joyce Edwards

A sophomore for the South Carolina Gamecocks, Edwards is a scoring threat who will look to contribute to her team's offensive efforts.

Cori Close

The head coach of the UCLA Bruins, Close has guided her team to its first-ever NCAA championship game appearance and has pushed senior center Lauren Betts to new heights.

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What they’re saying

“'The first is always special. It's always special to get here, to exhale… You're playing on the last day of college women's basketball. It's a great honor and a great feat whether you win or lose. You also are measuring where your program can continue to go.'”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks

“'She never has given up on me. Through everything that we've been through, how much we push each other, she pushes me every single day even on the days that I don't want to hear her, on the days where she knows she has to be a jerk sometimes. She just knows what I'm capable of and she believes in me so much and is so confident in me days when I don't even believe in myself. I can't ask for a better person to coach me. When you have someone who has taken you from such a dark place and has gotten you to where I am today, I mean, she's such an amazing person in my life. I'm just always going to be very thankful for her.'”

— Lauren Betts, Senior Center, UCLA Bruins

What’s next

The winner of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game between UCLA and South Carolina will be crowned the 2026 national champion.

The takeaway

This matchup between the upstart UCLA Bruins and the experienced South Carolina Gamecords will showcase the future of women's basketball, with both teams boasting an abundance of talent that could soon be on display in the WNBA. The game will be a true test of UCLA's ability to overcome its lack of championship experience against the battle-tested Gamecocks, led by the legendary Dawn Staley.