Lauren Betts injury update: UCLA star returns to NCAA championship after throat issue

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Lauren Betts injury update: UCLA star returns to NCAA championship after throat issue

Meghan L. Hall, For The Win · USA TODAY Sports

Sun, Apr 5, 2026 ·

2 min read

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PHOENIX ― UCLA star Lauren Betts appeared to be having a tough time against the South Carolina Gamecocks in Sunday's title matchup at Mortgage Matchup Center.

Betts scored four points and grabbed three rebounds early, but was fairly quiet after that. Eventually, the UCLA center motioned to the bench and checked out of the game with 2:14 remaining in the first quarter.

REQUIRED READING: UCLA vs South Carolina in women's national championship: Highlights, score

Betts immediately went to the bench and began talking with a trainer as she coughed into a towel and motioned toward her throat. The center remained on the bench for the remainder of the first quarter.

Kiki Rice #1 of the UCLA Bruins dribbles against Raven Johnson #25 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Tessa Johnson #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks shoots the ball between Sienna Betts #16 and Lena Bilic #9 of the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Lauren Betts #51 of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Lauren Betts #51 of the UCLA Bruins and Maryam Dauda #30 of the South Carolina Gamecocks battle for position during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Tessa Johnson #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks dribbles against Gianna Kneepkens #8 of the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Gabriela Jaquez #11 of the UCLA Bruins reacts after being fouled on a made basket against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Joyce Edwards #8 of the South Carolina Gamecocks shoots the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Raven Johnson #25 of the South Carolina Gamecocks dribbles against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Ta'niya Latson #00 of the South Carolina Gamecocks dribbles against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Timea Gardiner #30 of the UCLA Bruins shoots the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on during the first quarter against the UCLA Bruins in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Madina Okot #11 of the South Carolina Gamecocks shoots the ball against Lauren Betts #51 of the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

Madina Okot #11 of the South Carolina Gamecocks shoots the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter in the National Championship of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) and South Carolina Gamecocks center Madina Okot (11) jump for the opening tip-off in the first half during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Here's what to know of UCLA's star center:

Lauren Betts injury update

Betts was not on the floor to open the second quarter and was seen motioning to her throat, coughing, on the Bruins bench. She was also taking deep breaths and breathing into an inhaler.

Betts returned to play at the 8:41 mark of the second quarter, finishing the half with six points on 3-of-6 shooting and seven rebounds.

Speaking to ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe at halftime, Betts said she felt like she had something stuck in her throat, suggesting it may have been the dry Phoenix air.

"I think it's really dry out in here Phoenix, it felt like I had something stuck in there," Betts told Rowe. "But it's good. I'm all good."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lauren Betts injury update: UCLA C returns after throat issue vs South Carolina

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Lauren Betts injury update: UCLA star returns to NCAA championship after throat issue

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

See photos from UCLA senior Lauren Betts MOP performance

See photos from UCLA senior Lauren Betts MOP performance

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

See photos from UCLA senior Lauren Betts MOP performance

UCLA vs South Carolina play for the women’s national title. See photos

See photos from UCLA senior Lauren Betts MOP performance

Lauren Betts injury update