No. 4 Pick Lauren Betts to Play With Former UCLA Coach With Washington Mystics

Betts, the 2026 NCAA Tournament MOP, will reunite with ex-assistant Michaela Onyenwere in the WNBA.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:08am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors like blue, orange, and purple.The dynamic pairing of UCLA alums Lauren Betts and Michaela Onyenwere on the Washington Mystics promises an exciting new era of WNBA basketball.Los Angeles Today

UCLA Bruins star center Lauren Betts, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, will join the Washington Mystics and play alongside her former UCLA assistant coach Michaela Onyenwere. Betts led the Bruins to the national championship last season, winning numerous individual awards including the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

Why it matters

Betts was one of the most dominant players in college basketball last season, and her reunion with Onyenwere in the WNBA will be a compelling storyline as the Mystics look to build on their recent success. The Bruins' record-setting six draft picks also highlights the program's talent pipeline.

The details

Betts, a 6-foot-7 center, was the first of three straight UCLA players selected in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She'll now join the Mystics and play alongside Onyenwere, who was the 2021 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Onyenwere spent last season as an assistant coach at UCLA, helping guide the team to the national championship.

  • Betts was selected No. 4 overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 14, 2026.
  • Onyenwere signed with the Mystics as a free agent this offseason.

The players

Lauren Betts

A 6-foot-7 center who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft after leading UCLA to the national championship last season.

Michaela Onyenwere

A former UCLA assistant coach who was named the 2021 WNBA Rookie of the Year. She signed with the Washington Mystics as a free agent this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so excited to reunite with Coach Onyenwere in the WNBA. She was a huge part of our success at UCLA, and I can't wait to keep learning from her and compete alongside her.”

— Lauren Betts

The takeaway

The Mystics' addition of Betts and reunion with Onyenwere gives the team a talented young core as they look to build on their recent success in the WNBA. Betts' dominant college career and Onyenwere's continued development make this an exciting pairing to watch in the years ahead.