Boston's candid WNBA advice unlocked Betts' confidence, urging her to embrace versatility and trust her game beyond the paint.
Lauren Betts has already established herself as one of the most physically imposing players in women’s college basketball, but a brief conversation with a WNBA star may end up influencing how far her game ultimately goes.
At 6-foot-7, Betts has been a dominant interior presence for the UCLA Bruins, overwhelming opponents with her size, touch and defensive instincts. She scores efficiently at the rim, controls the glass and alters shots at an elite level. Yet as the women’s game continues to evolve, Betts is keenly aware that success at the professional level increasingly demands versatility beyond the paint.
That reality is something Aliyah Boston understands well. The Indiana Fever star, once known almost exclusively for her interior dominance, has steadily expanded her offensive profile as the WNBA has shifted toward floor spacing and multi-level scoring from its frontcourt players. For Betts, Boston’s perspective carried particular weight.
Betts said the two connected during a USA Basketball senior training camp, a setting that placed her alongside players she grew up watching and studying.
In reflecting on that moment, Betts described the experience as both unexpected and meaningful.
“I've looked up to her for a while, obviously, growing up watching college basketball,” Betts said. “I admire her game a lot, and to be in that setting with her and being on the court with her and talking to her on the sidelines was just really surreal.”
What resonated most, however, was the substance of Boston’s message. Rather than focusing on mechanics or shot selection in rigid terms, Boston emphasized confidence and freedom.
Betts explained that Boston’s advice centered on trusting her instincts and not letting missed shots dictate her aggressiveness.
“I actually had the chance to talk to Aliyah Boston when I was at the training camp for USA [Basketball], and she spoke to me because she watched a lot of our games, which is crazy to me because she’s like my idol,” Betts said. “So, she was telling me, ‘Lauren, I don’t care what happens in the game, if you miss ten layups, if you’re open around that mid-range, shoot the ball.’”
The timing of that encouragement is significant. The modern WNBA has moved away from relying solely on traditional post scorers. Stars such as A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier have reshaped expectations for frontcourt players, forcing defenses to account for scoring threats at all three levels. Even players who built their reputations in the paint have adapted to stay impactful.
Betts is still in the early stages of that process. She has attempted only one three-pointer this season, but she has made a point of developing her mid-range game, particularly in face-up situations. The goal is not to abandon her strengths, but to complement them in ways that make her harder to scheme against.
That growth could have direct implications for her professional future. Betts remains one of the top prospects in the upcoming WNBA Draft, valued for her combination of size, efficiency and defensive presence. She is averaging 16.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game, production that underscores her two-way impact.
While perimeter-oriented players have entered the draft conversation, Betts’ profile remains compelling, especially for teams seeking interior defense and rebounding. Where she ultimately lands may depend on roster needs, but her ceiling is tied closely to how her offensive game continues to expand.
For Betts, guidance from someone who has already navigated that transition offers both reassurance and direction. Studying Boston’s career and hearing her encouragement firsthand has reinforced the idea that development is not about perfection, but belief.
With continued growth and confidence in her evolving skill set, Lauren Betts has positioned herself not just as a dominant college center, but as a potential cornerstone player in the WNBA for years to come.