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The vibes are immaculate over at UCLA right now. After cruising through last season with a 30-2 record — the best in program history — UCLA looked destined for glory. The Bruins claimed their first-ever No. 1 seed, and the buzz around Westwood was unreal. But their magical journey came to a halt in their first-ever Final Four, where they ran into the eventual champions, UConn. Now, with a new season on the horizon, the hunger has only grown stronger. Lauren Betts and the Bruins are back, fueled by unfinished business, and already making history before the ball has even been tipped. According to a post shared by the university on X, UCLA women’s basketball has officially sold out all of its season tickets — a first in program history. The Pauley Pavilion is set to be absolutely rocking this season, and it’s easy to see why. There’s plenty of reason to be excited about this team. We’ve already talked about their incredible run last season — a record-breaking campaign that earned them the No. 1 seed heading into the Big Dance. That success surely played a major role in the surge of fan excitement. But unlike most college programs that undergo massive turnover every offseason, Cori Close’s Bruins have managed to hold on to their core. In a sport where continuity is rare, UCLA’s stability might just be their biggest strength heading into this season. Not only is Lauren Betts, their dominant centerpiece from last season, returning after averaging career highs of 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, but she’ll also have plenty of familiar firepower alongside her. Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez are both back, giving UCLA one of the most balanced returning cores in the nation. And to make things even scarier, the Bruins added Utah star Gianna Kneepkens, one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball. Kneepkens, who put up 19.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on an eye-popping 50.4% shooting last season, could be the answer to UCLA’s biggest weakness, perimeter scoring. Another reason for the excitement in Westwood is UCLA’s lofty preseason ranking. The Bruins enter the season at No. 3 in the country, trailing only the two teams that played in last year’s championship game — South Carolina and UConn. But another reason for the extra fan excitement is the arrival of Sienna Betts. Yes, the Betts sisters are officially teammates this season. Lauren and Sienna sharing the floor together adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already stacked roster…. but the fans will have to wait a little! Setback for Lauren Betts as Sister Reunion Postponed The addition of Gianna Kneepkens has already been hailed as one of the top transfer moves of the season, but with the addition of Lauren Betts’ younger sister, Sienna, the Bruins are adding a potential superstar to their roster. Ranked as the No. 2 recruit in the nation by ESPN, Sienna was expected to make an immediate impact before a setback hit early. The freshman suffered a left leg injury during a closed-door scrimmage against UC Riverside and has been ruled out for the season opener. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports “Sienna is going to be a no-go for our opener,” coach Cori Close said via Sbnation. “She’s coming along great, she’s doing a great job, but we’re going to rule her out for Monday. We’re excited to get her back and get her in the mix.” Coach Cori Close confirmed that after UCLA’s season opener against San Diego State tomorrow, Sienna Betts’ status will be upgraded to day-to-day — meaning the much-awaited Betts sister reunion might only be a game away. It’s an exciting time to be a Bruins fan. With the roster they’ve built and the momentum they’re carrying, expectations are sky-high for a championship push this season. Will they go all the way? Only time will tell.
