Sienna Betts just gave UCLA fans a thrilling preview of next season with two dominant, yet distinct, performances for Team USA at the U19 World Cup. In the opener against Korea, the future Bruin was ruthlessly efficient: dropping 25 points on 11-of-12 shooting, grabbing 6 boards, and dishing 4 assists in just 18 minutes of a blowout. Against Hungary, she showcased the defensive versatility Cori Close is salivating over: a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double (10 defensive boards) with 5 blocks and 3 steals across 31 minutes.
Betts' arrival in Westwood next year provides a crucial, unique dimension. While her sister Lauren anchors the paint as a traditional rim protector, Sienna offers elite perimeter-level activity for a post – switching onto guards, aggressively hedging ball screens to force chaos, and jumping passing lanes with exceptional awareness. This disruptive skillset, combined with her ability to finish through contact and operate from the high post, gives Coach Close a dynamic defensive weapon and offensive connector that UCLA missed last season. Betts and Team USA 🇺🇸 face Israel 🇮🇱 next on Tuesday, July 15th, looking to cruise through the group stage before the knockout rounds begin.
Share this post