SACRAMENTO -- The most special storyline in what’s been a narrative-rich UCLA season has been the connection of the Betts sisters, senior Lauren and freshman Sienna.

Lauren Betts has been an icon in the NCAA world since especially last season, when she truly burst onto the scene as UCLA’s dominant center and possibly the most unstoppable player in the sport, instrumental in taking UCLA to the Final Four. Betts has been adding to her trophy shelf this season, too. Big Ten Player and Defensive Player of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, Big Ten All-Defensive Team and AP All-American selections are just some of the feathers in her cap.

Adapting to the program

Then, of course, there’s Sienna Betts. The freshman forward came to UCLA as one of the most highly touted players in her recruiting class and after starting the season over a month late due to injury, Betts took some time to get into the swing of things with the Bruins, but has since found her stride and continued to impress, earning herself Big Ten All-Freshmen Team honors.

“It’s hard when there’s a lot of seniors around you and they’ve been playing with each other for a while. So, as a freshman, any freshman who’s on this team, it’s a lot of adjusting,” Betts said after defeating Oklahoma State. “It’s okay because you’re learning and growing a lot and it’s going to benefit you for the future. I think I’m… learning to fit into the role I have here.”

“It’s hard when there’s a lot of seniors around you and they’ve been playing with each other for a while. As a freshman… it’s a lot of adjusting and it’s okay because you’re learning and growing a lot… I think I’m just learning to fit into the role I have here.” - Sienna Betts pic.twitter.com/Hv7ODks7hl
— Jack Haslett (@JackHaslett_13) March 26, 2026

Now that she’s playing more regularly as an integral part of UCLA’s second core coming off the bench, she’s set herself up for even more special moments with her sister. Often this season the pair would be subbed out for each other, with the announcer at Pauley Pavilion speaking with delight that Betts was coming in for Betts.

“I love the moments you catch when they have a connection and an eye contact or a smile that’s different than everyone else’s because they’re sharing it as sisters. And I just think how special is that?” head coach Cori Close said after UCLA’s victory over Cal Baptist.

Maintaining individuality

As sisters, there is a delicate balance when managing them. The fun that comes with them playing together is obvious, but there’s also the matter of making sure they can feel like separate players, too.

$\"UCLA$

Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune

UCLA Center, Lauren Betts (51) defends an attempt at the basket during a NCAA Womens' Basketball game against the Ohio State, February 5, 2025 in Los Angeles.

That’s more of the principle issue for Sienna in Close’s eyes. She’s coming into a program that her sister is not only established in, but has had one of the best careers in school history with. Close wants to make sure that Betts freshman season is about what her growth can be, not just about the fact that there are two Betts on the roster.

“It’s this weird thing; on the one hand, I want them to enjoy this connection they have. I want them to enjoy this year,” Close said. “Simultaneously, I want to especially treat Sienna on her own journey and to not make her feel like she’s in the shadows of anything that Lauren's doing. That’s sort of a fine line. I call it the healthy tension I’m trying to find."

When it comes to the elder Betts, she’s continually supported Sienna’s growth. The most recent example being UCLA’s win against Cal Baptist, where the Betts sisters shared another special moment by both recording double-doubles.

$\"Michigan$

Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan State's InŽs Sotelo, center, gets a rebound between UCLA's Sienna Betts, left, and Angela Dugalie, right, during the first quarter on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

She knows her sister better than anybody on the team and knew what her goals were going into this season. Defense was at the top of that list, especially with Sienna adjusting to the pace of college basketball.

“I’m really happy for her, really happy for her growth… I thought her defense was a lot better today, I know that’s something that she wanted to get better in,” Betts said. “She was just really proud of her slides, she didn’t really say anything about her points.”

Sienna is hard on herself too. Throughout this season she’s described herself as a perfectionist that’s always trying to improve.

Close has advised her to give herself more grace and promoted patience, which are traits that Betts has picked up over the course of the season and now with the development coming along, she’s been able to marry the mental and physical sides of the game.

$\"Lauren$

Jordan Teller - The Sporting Tribune

Lauren Betts #51 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates a made three point shot during an NCAA basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins, Sunday January 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

“Just being patient with myself and just feeling comfort with the role I have with this team and knowing that’s okay and knowing it’s helping for the future,” Betts said during a media availability. “I think physically… I think I’ve grown a lot in my rebounding and dictating shots and switching onto these little, fast guards."

Letting Sienna be Sienna

With the Betts sisters, one stellar career is coming to an end this season while another is just beginning. The Bruins are in for a major rebuild with six seniors, Lauren included, graduating this year.

The future will be in Sienna’s hands after that. Close knows that more than anyone. She sees the value and the growth of her freshman forward and she needs her to keep both of those things up. Not just to uphold the legacy of her family name, but to build one for herself.

“I want Sienna to feel like she’s Sienna. She’s not Lauren’s sister. She can enjoy that, but for our team, she’s Sienna Betts,” Close said. “And I have an expectation of her growth and her journey and she’s doing a great job on that.”

","featuredImage","/img/college-basketball/ucla_wbb/251216_calpoly_at_ucla/251216_025_calpoly_at_ucla-544x306.jpg","imageCaption","UCLA forward, Sienna Betts (16) receives a pass during a NCAA basketball game against Cal Poly on December 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.",{"_573":1308,"_1077":1309,"_2091":2092,"_2105":2106,"_2107":2087},"keyInfo",[2093,2096,2097,2098,2102,2104],{"_68":2094,"_64":1559,"_66":2095},"Big Ten Conference","big-ten-conference",{"_68":468,"_64":1054,"_66":1056},{"_68":1173,"_64":1054,"_66":1207},{"_68":2099,"_64":2100,"_66":2101},"Sienna Betts","player","sienna-betts",{"_68":2103,"_64":2100,"_66":1221},"Lauren Betts",{"_68":1259,"_64":1559,"_66":1258},"contentLength",1650,"defaultImage","2026/03/27/letting-sienna-be-sienna-how-uclas-freshman-is-blazing-her-own-trail-in-march-madness","lock",{"_2111":60,"_2112":-5,"_2113":-5,"_1174":-5},"isLocked","userName","userId",[],[],[2117,2118,2119,2120,2121,2122,2123,2124,2125,2126],{"_7":1172,"_897":1207,"_68":1173},{"_7":1172,"_897":1056,"_68":468},{"_7":1172,"_897":1225,"_68":1226},{"_7":1172,"_897":1212,"_68":1213},{"_7":1172,"_897":1209,"_68":1210},{"_7":1172,"_897":1252,"_68":468},{"_7":1172,"_897":1258,"_68":1259},{"_7":1559,"_897":2095,"_68":2094},{"_7":2100,"_897":2101,"_68":2099},{"_7":2100,"_897":1221,"_68":2103},"hasEmbed","imageCredit",{"_1202":18},"podcastInfo",{"_1202":18},"relatedArticles",{"_15":2134,"_1094":2135},[],[],"thumbnail","/img/college-basketball/ucla_wbb/251216_calpoly_at_ucla/251216_025_calpoly_at_ucla-thumbnail.jpg","featuredImageUrl","cacheKey","tst_letting-sienna-be-sienna-how-uclas-freshman-is-blazing-her-own-trail-in-march-madness","cachedOn","2026-03-30T00:33:44.113Z",{"_573":574,"_575":576,"_577":578,"_579":580,"_581":580,"_582":580,"_583":584,"_585":2144,"_599":600,"_601":580,"_602":580,"_603":580,"_604":605},{"_587":588,"_589":590,"_591":592,"_593":594,"_595":596,"_597":598},"searchResponse",{"_2147":2148,"_2150":2151,"_2152":2153},"pager",{"_1512":151,"_1513":2149,"_1514":151,"_1515":151},60,"records",[],"dimensions",[],"sortsUsed",[2156,2160],{"_1097":2157,"_2158":2159},"specs.pinnedOn","direction","desc",{"_1097":2161,"_2158":2159},"specs.sentOn","baseUrl","/team/ucla/feed/article/letting-sienna-be-sienna-how-uclas-freshman-is-blazing-her-own-trail-in-march-madness","returnUrl","/team/ucla/feed","commentId","actionData","errors"]

UCLA

The Forum Club

Letting Sienna be Sienna: How UCLA's freshman is blazing her own trail in March Madness

By Jack Haslett in Sacramento

Mar 27, 2026

Yahoo Sports, The Sporting Tribune enter content partnership, expanding regional sports coverage to a global audience

By The Sporting Tribune in Los Angeles

Oct 22, 2025

'The Sporting Tribune Today' joins Westwood One Sports and will be on the radio in Southern California, Las Vegas and Hawaii

By The Sporting Tribune in Los Angeles

Oct 23, 2025

The Sporting Tribune, John R. Wooden Award announce content partnership ahead of 50th anniversary celebration

By The Sporting Tribune in Los Angeles

Nov 14, 2025

TST Images: Capitals defeat Golden Knights, 5-4, in Las Vegas

By The Sporting Tribune at T-Mobile Arena

Mar 29, 2026

TST Images: Mammoth defeat Kings, 6-2, in Los Angeles

By The Sporting Tribune at Crypto.com Arena

Mar 29, 2026

TST Images: South Bay Lakers beat Sioux Falls Skyforce 140-132, in El Segundo

By The Sporting Tribune at UCLA Health Training Center

Mar 28, 2026

TST Images: Portrait Session with Blake Bowen

By The Sporting Tribune at JSerra Catholic High School

Mar 28, 2026

TST Today: Dodgers 2026 Season Preview

By Anwar Stetson at TST Headquarters

Mar 24, 2026

TST Today: Nine straight wins for the Lakers and Clippers’ rocky road

By Anwar Stetson at TST Headquarters

Mar 24, 2026

Clippers Roll Past Bucks for Fifth Straight Win Behind An All-Around Effort

By Grant Mona Milwaukee

Mar 29, 2026

Angels split weekend series 2-2: Jack Kochanowicz gets lifted in the third, Drew Pomeranz gives up 3 in the eighth

By Thomas Murray Daikan Stadium

Mar 29, 2026

Son-sational South Bay Lakers Bronny James wows LeBron James

By Muhammed Asif at UCLA Health Training Center

Mar 29, 2026

Dodgers star Will Smith reacts to go-ahead birthday homer

By Muhammed Asif at Dodger Stadium

Mar 29, 2026

Are the Knights panicking in firing Cassidy?

By Steve Carp At City National Arena

Mar 29, 2026

Golden Knights make shocking decision towards season’s end

By Derek Hegna in Las Vegas

Mar 29, 2026

Fundora dominates against Thurman; Itauma continues rise up the heavyweight ladder

By Nevin Barich in Las Vegas

Mar 29, 2026

TST Images: Capitals defeat Golden Knights, 5-4, in Las Vegas

By The Sporting Tribune at T-Mobile Arena

Mar 29, 2026

Riding the Wave: San Diego extends win streak to three, shuts out Chicago

By Sebastian Sanchez at Snapdragon Stadium

Mar 29, 2026

San Diego Clippers clinch NBA G League playoff spot in season finale

By Jared Knobloch at Frontwave Arena

Mar 29, 2026

Padres avoid sweep, shutout Tigers for first win of '26

By Armando Dueñas at Petco Park

Mar 29, 2026

Clippers playoff hopes alive after G League win against Kings

By Jared Knobloch at Frontwave Arena

Mar 28, 2026

Yahoo Sports, The Sporting Tribune enter content partnership, expanding regional sports coverage to a global audience

By The Sporting Tribune in Los Angeles

Oct 22, 2025

'The Sporting Tribune Today' joins Westwood One Sports and will be on the radio in Southern California, Las Vegas and Hawaii

By The Sporting Tribune in Los Angeles

Oct 23, 2025

The Sporting Tribune, John R. Wooden Award announce content partnership ahead of 50th anniversary celebration

By The Sporting Tribune in Los Angeles

Nov 14, 2025

TST Images: Capitals defeat Golden Knights, 5-4, in Las Vegas

By The Sporting Tribune at T-Mobile Arena

Mar 29, 2026