Full Breakdown
Lauren Betts Uses ESPY Spotlight to Advocate for Mental-Health Awareness
7/18/2026, 12:51:46 PM
The Award and the Message
At the 2026 ESPY Awards in New York, UCLA center Lauren Betts received the Best College Athlete for Women’s Sports honor. While accepting the trophy, Betts turned the ceremony into a platform for mental-health advocacy, emphasizing that emotional well-being underpins athletic success. Her remarks linked her personal journey with a broader call for athletes to prioritize psychological health.
Career Path and Mental-Health Journey
Betts entered the national spotlight at age 15 as a member of the USA U-16 women’s team, which captured the 2019 gold medal over Canada. After a freshman season at Stanford (5.9 points, 3.5 rebounds in 33 games, no starts), she transferred to UCLA in 2022. The move coincided with a period of intense personal struggle; Betts later disclosed that she checked into the psych ward at UCLA Hospital and battled suicidal thoughts. In a March 2024 Players’ Tribune essay, she described feeling “drowning” before seeking help. Basketball became a sanctuary, and her senior year culminated in UCLA’s first NCAA-era women’s basketball championship and a 37-1 record.
Season Statistics and Accolades
During the 2025-26 season, Betts posted a team-high 17.0 points per game on 58 % shooting, 8.8 rebounds, and more than two blocks per contest. She earned the Lisa Leslie Award (nation’s top center), the Big Ten Player of the Year, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and unanimous All-American honors. The Bruins finished 37-1 overall, 18-0 in conference play, and defeated South Carolina 79-51 in the national championship game. Betts was also named the 2025-26 Best College Athlete for Women’s Sports by the ESPYs.
Official Statements & Responses
During her acceptance speech, Betts thanked her UCLA teammates and coaches, acknowledging their role in her recovery and success. The ESPY ceremony highlighted her achievement by having Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo and rapper French Montana present the award. Organizers noted that Betts’ “platform and performance” distinguished her among nominees from volleyball, gymnastics, and lacrosse. Following the ceremony, Betts reiterated her commitment to mental-health advocacy, stating that she intends to use her visibility as a professional player with the Washington Mystics to continue the conversation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Your mental health is not separate from your success. It's the foundation of everything that you do. The strongest people aren't the ones who never struggle. They're the ones who have the courage to let someone walk through their struggle with them. I appreciate you guys so much, thank you,” — Lauren Betts
- “I feel like I have the opportunity with this platform that I have to speak on something that is really important to me,” — Lauren Betts
- “Your mental health is not separate from your success. It's the foundation of everything that you do. The strongest people aren't the ones who never struggle. They're the ones who have the courage to let someone walk through their struggle with them. I appreciate you guys so much, thank you,” — Lauren Betts
- “My mental health journey and everything that I speak up about and what I'm really open about...I just want people...that know about my journey...protecting my peace has been the one thing that I've been as fierce about with chasing my dreams. Your mental health is not separate from your success. It is the foundation of everything that you do. And the strongest people aren't the ones who never struggle. They're the ones who have the courage to let someone walk through their struggle with them.” — Lauren Betts
What’s Next
Betts entered the 2026 WNBA draft as the No. 4 overall pick and now starts for the Washington Mystics, averaging 16 minutes, 6.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and a 53.5 % field-goal rate in her first 23 games. She has indicated that she will continue to speak publicly about mental-health issues throughout her professional career.
