Sienna Betts injury update: Will top UCLA recruit make debut Tuesday?
- - Sienna Betts injury update: Will top UCLA recruit make debut Tuesday?
Cydney Henderson, USA TODAYDecember 16, 2025 at 8:06 AM
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UCLA women's basketball has cruised to a 9-1 record to start the season, all without their top freshman recruit having touched the basketball court. That's likely to change on Tuesday, UCLA head coach Cori Close said.
Close said she's "hopeful" freshman forward Sienna Betts will make her collegiate debut in UCLA's matchup against Cal Poly on Tuesday at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. Betts, the younger sister of first-team All-American center Lauren Betts, has been sidelined for the first 10 games of the season with a lower leg injury suffered during a scrimmage against UC Riverside in October, delaying the five-star recruit's highly anticipated debut.
"We're really hopeful that we're getting close," Close said after UCLA's 80-59 win over Oregon on Dec. 7. "Sienna (Betts) is going to be a really big part of where we're going. She is incredibly impactful for us. ... We need her for us to go where we need to go and want to go, and we're going to need her growth and productivity."
No. 1 UConn Huskies (2024-2025 record: 37-3)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MD_WzbYpStPa8wHTOBYhqA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/beeb2af06d7b5eb1b21d753a8d6ff4f3 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 1 UConn Huskies (2024-2025 record: 37-3)
">No. 1 UConn Huskies (2024-2025 record: 37-3)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MD_WzbYpStPa8wHTOBYhqA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/beeb2af06d7b5eb1b21d753a8d6ff4f3 class=caas-img>No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks (2024-2025 record: 35-4)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LREopb4QTPfjC5iBXr0_XA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/161801180cd56f0b95fed34c6728d03e class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks (2024-2025 record: 35-4)
">No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks (2024-2025 record: 35-4)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LREopb4QTPfjC5iBXr0_XA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/161801180cd56f0b95fed34c6728d03e class=caas-img>No. 3 Texas Longhorns (2024-2025 record: 35-4)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LpdeE43V6lG8CTRyhoMYjA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/365648ef65ffcaada513da0dc89123bb class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 3 Texas Longhorns (2024-2025 record: 35-4)
">No. 3 Texas Longhorns (2024-2025 record: 35-4)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LpdeE43V6lG8CTRyhoMYjA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/365648ef65ffcaada513da0dc89123bb class=caas-img>No. 4 UCLA Bruins (2024-2025 record: 34-3)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tOcfWMBF.ruatSvXaXeK7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/54f2c7cb0448617a65aaff736d1d92f2 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 4 UCLA Bruins (2024-2025 record: 34-3)
">No. 4 UCLA Bruins (2024-2025 record: 34-3)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tOcfWMBF.ruatSvXaXeK7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/54f2c7cb0448617a65aaff736d1d92f2 class=caas-img>No. 5 LSU Lady Tigers (2024-2025 record: 31-6)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CYBQlU6fMWecwyPoGAKnKA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5845e73b03c9d390c2f74670a8a76d50 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 5 LSU Lady Tigers (2024-2025 record: 31-6)
">No. 5 LSU Lady Tigers (2024-2025 record: 31-6)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CYBQlU6fMWecwyPoGAKnKA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5845e73b03c9d390c2f74670a8a76d50 class=caas-img>No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (2024-2025 record: 29-8)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eM8e6.3RF7hUKl2z8I0XEg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/51e930624a91e07d0f7bb61aebe40329 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (2024-2025 record: 29-8)
">No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (2024-2025 record: 29-8)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eM8e6.3RF7hUKl2z8I0XEg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/51e930624a91e07d0f7bb61aebe40329 class=caas-img>No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners (2024-2025 record: 27-8)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2ZFipsQ_g.AWf39ke.QgDQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/73cf262445f247e88033b0ba3b7d3207 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners (2024-2025 record: 27-8)
">No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners (2024-2025 record: 27-8)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2ZFipsQ_g.AWf39ke.QgDQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/73cf262445f247e88033b0ba3b7d3207 class=caas-img>No. 8 North Carolina State Wolfpack (2024-2025 record: 28-7)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kfxltlyuuOuYbif2RInaEQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a4a3de75188b951a1e7834c3085cb494 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 8 North Carolina State Wolfpack (2024-2025 record: 28-7)
">No. 8 North Carolina State Wolfpack (2024-2025 record: 28-7)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kfxltlyuuOuYbif2RInaEQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a4a3de75188b951a1e7834c3085cb494 class=caas-img>No. 9 Tennessee Lady Vols (2024-2025 record: 24-10)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/euFU1BZ_d6CG19nQRWBbVw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2764e0c70d4a245860f932aafafcd6f0 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 9 Tennessee Lady Vols (2024-2025 record: 24-10)
">No. 9 Tennessee Lady Vols (2024-2025 record: 24-10)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/euFU1BZ_d6CG19nQRWBbVw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2764e0c70d4a245860f932aafafcd6f0 class=caas-img>No. 10 Maryland Terrapins (2024-2025 record: 25-8)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iZDwy63Tb8HhYOQ2Z8uy4Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2a51ccb0dd7303d30301d9ce25cba392 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 10 Maryland Terrapins (2024-2025 record: 25-8)
">No. 10 Maryland Terrapins (2024-2025 record: 25-8)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iZDwy63Tb8HhYOQ2Z8uy4Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2a51ccb0dd7303d30301d9ce25cba392 class=caas-img>No. 12 TCU Horned Frogs (2024-2025 record: 34-4)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fySZcYuoxkG3gBbQMGQqXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ca463e05b393e75a6870a70e44fb0466 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 12 TCU Horned Frogs (2024-2025 record: 34-4)
">No. 12 TCU Horned Frogs (2024-2025 record: 34-4)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fySZcYuoxkG3gBbQMGQqXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ca463e05b393e75a6870a70e44fb0466 class=caas-img>No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones (2024-2025 record: 23-12)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rrm67FEv_q_LSwo7G.gGmg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c3d485666be29ab2317358aa2ad72ff7 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones (2024-2025 record: 23-12)
">No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones (2024-2025 record: 23-12)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rrm67FEv_q_LSwo7G.gGmg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c3d485666be29ab2317358aa2ad72ff7 class=caas-img>No. 24 Ohio State Buckeyes (2024-2025 record: 26-7)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZwCy6NlAXzpijNjal1U2yA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/76519f7bf9aa4a402b90fe468bf29c47 class=caas-img data-headline="These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll" data-caption="
No. 24 Ohio State Buckeyes (2024-2025 record: 26-7)
">No. 24 Ohio State Buckeyes (2024-2025 record: 26-7)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZwCy6NlAXzpijNjal1U2yA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/76519f7bf9aa4a402b90fe468bf29c47 class=caas-img>
1 / 13These NCAA women's basketball teams are preseason favorites. See who topped coaches' poll
No. 1 UConn Huskies (2024-2025 record: 37-3)
MORE: UConn still No. 1 in women's basketball poll, Iowa State into top 10
If Betts does suit up on Tuesday vs. Cal Poly, expect her to be on a minutes restriction.
"My hope is that she's going to be able to get some minutes against Cal Poly," Close added. "As she progresses back, there are certain percentages she has to meet without symptoms to be able to work her way back. And so I would expect that she'll be really mad at me when I take her off the court."
Lauren Betts said she's "super excited" to play alongside her sister: "When she gets to be on the court with me for the first time, that's going to be a really special moment."
"This has been a really up and down process for (Sienna)," Lauren Betts told USA TODAY over the weekend at the Team USA training camp. "Obviously no one wants to be injured, especially going into your first year in college. So she's been amazing. She's been putting in a lot of hard work and I'm so excited for her."
McDonald's All American West forward Sienna Betts (51) poses for photos after being named MVP at Barclays Center on Apr 1, 2025.
Lauren Betts said she's been Betts' biggest cheerleader throughout her recovery and has constantly reminded her "how valuable she is," even if her younger sister doesn't listens to her much. "(Sienna) is very stubborn, and even though I'm the older one, she doesn't really want to listen to me," Lauren Bets joked.
"She's very much needed on this team and she's an amazing basketball player, and just because she's out right now doesn't mean that she's left out and that she's behind," said Lauren Betts, who is averaging 14.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks through 10 games. "She's done the work. We see it every single day, and she continues to get shots up. They have to force her to get off the court."
Betts, the No. 2 player in ESPN's 2025 class, received offers from many schools, including South Carolina, Notre Dame, USC, UConn and Michigan, before ultimately choosing to team up with her sister at UCLA. In her senior season at Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, Betts averaged 23.5 points, 16.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 3.4 blocks. She was named the 2024-25 Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year for the third consecutive season.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sienna Betts injury update: Will top UCLA recruit make debut Tuesday?
Source: “AOL Sports”
