A Champion On and Off the Court
Lauren Betts, a senior forward from UCLA, was crowned the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year at the 2026 Honda Sports Awards, an honor that also named her the recipient of the prestigious Honda Cup.
The accolade comes just weeks after she helped the Bruins secure their first NCAA women’s basketball championship, a victory highlighted by a 14‑point, 11‑rebound performance in the title game.
Betts closed out her collegiate career with averages of 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 blocks per game, and she finished the season as the nation’s leader in blocked shots, setting a new UCLA record.
Her dominance was recognized across the board, earning first‑team All‑America honors from the WBCA, being named both Big Ten Player and Defensive Player of the Year, and reaching the final round of the Wade Trophy, Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award considerations.
Off the court, Betts used her platform to speak openly about her struggles with depression, publishing a candid essay on The Players’ Tribune that has resonated with countless young fans facing similar challenges.
The Honda Cup, celebrating its 50th anniversary, continues a tradition of honoring female athletes who excel in competition, leadership and community service, placing Betts among a distinguished lineage of champions.
Looking ahead, the Washington Mystics selected Betts fourth overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft, and she was later honored with the 2026 ESPY Award for Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports, underscoring a year that blended athletic excellence with personal advocacy.