LOS ANGELES — Lauren Betts now ranks among the legendary UCLA centers, according to a former Los Angeles Laker and two-time NBA champion.
After Betts had 30 points and 14 rebounds to lead the UCLA past Richmond, 84-67, in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament, Betts had something else: a massive compliment from Mychal Thompson, who won two NBA championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987 and 1988.
Yes, that’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton and Lauren Betts.
“That’s crazy,’’ she said.
Like Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor during his time at UCLA) and Walton before her, the 6-foot-7 Betts was a force for UCLA near the basket Sunday night at Pauley Pavilion. She was 14-for-17 from the floor. In addition to her 14 rebounds, she had four assists and showed why he’s a candidate for national Defensive Player of the Year.
And now trying to lead UCLA (32-2) — the top overall seed in the women’s tournament — to the school’s first NCAA title in women’s basketball.
‘She’s an absolute generational player,’ UCLA coach Cori Close said. ‘She is not…just a low-post player. I mean, watch her move out there. The way that she guarded and switched, and even when she made some mistakes, the way that she chased people at 6-7. And she’s really 6-8, by the way.
‘But she’s just an elite player. She has basketball IQ. She’s incredibly competitive. She affects the game in so many ways on offense and defense. The list goes on and on.’
Said Kiki Rice, UCLA’s star point guard, was more succinct when asked about playing with Betts. “It makes life easy.’’
Now Betts, a junior, is looking for something Abdul-Jabbar and the late Walton won — an NCAA championship.
For the third year in a row, UCLA has advanced to the Sweet 16, setting up a matchup with No. 5 seed Mississippi on Friday.
‘Now we’ve got to push the envelope,’ UCLA coach Cori Close said.
Betts figures to be at the center of it all.
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