WNBA fans believe that UCLA star Lauren Betts should be picked first overall in the 2026 Draft, after starring during March Madness and leading the Bruins to the NCAA title
Fans believe that Lauren Betts should be selected No. 1 in the WNBA Draft(Image: 2026 NCAA Photos)
UCLA hero Lauren Betts was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament after the Bruins beat South Carolina, and now fans believe she should be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Betts starred with 14 points and 11 rebounds as UCLA beat South Carolina 79-51 in the national championship game, despite two freak incidents. Betts was forced to switch jerseys after getting blood on her uniform, which occurred after she had something stuck in her throat.
However, the Bruins dominated the finale, and Betts was named MOP for her March Madness run, though she didn’t receive a trophy. After seeing Betts shine on the ultimate collegiate stage, fans believe she should be picked first during the WNBA Draft on April 13.
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Betts made NCAA Tournament history as she became the first men’s or women’s player with 125+ points, 50+ rebounds, 15+ blocks, and a field goal percentage of 65+. She was deservedly named MOP, shaking up the WNBA Draft.
UConn star Azzi Fudd and Spanish center Awa Fam have been frequently named as the projected No. 1 pick, but fans now believe that Betts should be selected first. “Lauren Betts has to be the #1 pick next Monday night,” one fan wrote on X.
“Can someone who is more knowledgeable about WBB explain to me why Lauren Betts isn’t the No. 1 pick on most mock drafts? She seems like a player with really no other peer,” another added.
Betts burst into tears after winning the NCAA title and was named Most Outstanding Player(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
“Lauren Betts is way too low on some mock drafts. She should be the #1 overall pick and it’s not particularly close,” a third claimed.
“I can’t believe we’re pretending Lauren Betts not #1 pick material after what we saw,” another fan said. The 2026 WNBA Draft will take place in New York City on April 13, and Betts is expected to be an early first-round pick.
It remains to be seen where Betts will end up, but fans are still upset that she didn’t receive a trophy during the MOP presentation. After UCLA hoisted the NCAA title, an awkward moment occurred when ESPN reporter Holly Rowe announced Betts as the Most Outstanding Player.
UCLA beat South Carolina in the national championship game to end a dominant season(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
“And now to present our Most Outstanding Player of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament,” Rowe said. There was then an awkward pause before she asked: “Do we have a trophy for that?”
Rowe then continued the presentation, adding, “I guess we’ll just use the big one.” However, as Betts walked off the court after celebrating the victory, she was seen being handed a medal.
Fans were outraged, but Betts had a successful Sunday, winning the national championship in her final collegiate appearance. Betts also won the title alongside her younger sister, Sienna, who will remain with the Bruins while her sister joins the WNBA.
The Dallas Wings will pick first in the 2026 WNBA Draft, followed by the Minnesota Lynx. If Betts isn’t selected in the top five, she could lead a new expansion team, with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo picking sixth and seventh.