Sienna Betts to Miss UCLA Season Opener with Injury

UCLA women’s basketball team will start its season without Sienna Betts, the No. 2-ranked incoming freshman according to ESPN. Betts will miss at least the season opener against San Diego State due to an undisclosed injury to her lower left leg, as confirmed by head coach Cori Close on Wednesday.

Despite the setback, Close reassured fans about Betts’ recovery. “There’s no question about that,” she stated when asked about Betts’ status moving forward. “We’re really excited, actually, to get her back and to get her in the mix. She’s not in a season-ending situation at all.”

Betts’ Impact and Team Dynamics

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Betts is expected to play a pivotal role in UCLA’s frontcourt, potentially teaming up with her sister, Lauren Betts, an All-American senior center who averaged 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game last season. Close praised Sienna’s learning ability, stating, “She’s one of the most amazing learners I have coached in my 33 years. Her knowledge of the game and her ability to see things and put them into practice are exceptional.”

Coach Close also highlighted the potential benefits of this unexpected downtime for Betts. “Sometimes adversity can force you into skill development in a way that you wouldn’t have attacked the same way if you didn’t have this time,” she added.

As they prepare for the season without Betts, the No. 3-ranked Bruins will rely on their experienced players. Senior guard Kiki Rice and senior forward Gabriela Jaquez are expected to lead the team. They will be joined by newcomers Charlisse Leger-Walker, who missed last season due to a torn ACL, and Gianna Kneepkens, a transfer from Utah who averaged 19.3 points per game last year.

Professional Opportunities and Team Development

On Wednesday, UCLA hosted a unique practice session at Pauley Pavilion, attended by around 20 WNBA coaches, general managers, and scouts. This event offered a rare opportunity for professional teams to evaluate draft-eligible Bruins in a competitive environment. Rice noted, “It’s an opportunity to see what it feels like to play in a high-stakes environment. We don’t get a ton of opportunities before the season starts, and that’s going to be really valuable for us.”

Close credited assistant coach James Clark for the innovative idea of a pro-day practice, which UCLA believes is a first for women’s college basketball. Clark, along with assistant general manager Sam Skinner, navigated various regulatory hurdles to bring the event to fruition.

“The NBA does it with college men’s teams all the time; why aren’t we doing this for our women?” Close questioned. “I’m really proud that we’re the first women’s program to ever do something like this. It was just a fun experiment to showcase the great work our players have done.”

With the season opener approaching, the Bruins aim to leverage their core players’ experience while looking forward to the return of Sienna Betts. The team’s resilience will be tested as they adapt to her absence in their quest for success.