10 most impactful players for 2025 NCAA women鈥檚 basketball tournament
2. Lauren Betts, F, UCLA
Betts is a player of the year candidate and a big reason why UCLA has emerged as a national championship contender and likely No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. UCLA鈥檚 two losses this season both came to USC, but the Bruins got revenge in the Big Ten tournament by defeating the Trojans in the championship game, a contest where Betts was strong once again with 17 points and four blocks. Overall, the 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 19.6 points and 9.7 rebounds while shooting 63.5% from the field. Her size helps her dominate offensively down low, but also on the defensive end, with 2.9 blocks per contest, the fifth-most in the country. Alongside guard Kiki Rice, Betts makes UCLA a national championship favorite as a player who can do a lot of things others in the tournament field simply can鈥檛.
