The confetti has settled and the trophy is gleaming, but for UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close and star center Lauren Betts, the story of their national championship is rooted in something far deeper than a perfect season. Their journey to cutting down the nets was paved with mutual support through profound personal challenges, forging a bond that transcends the hardwood.
Appearing on the Rich Eisen Show to celebrate UCLA's first-ever NCAA women's basketball title, Coach Close shared a powerful insight. While the championship victory over South Carolina was the ultimate high, she revealed her greatest pride came from how her staff handled the lows, specifically standing by Betts during her public battles with mental health. "I’m actually more proud of how we show up for our players on the hard days," Close stated, highlighting the program's commitment to its athletes as whole people.
This support, however, was a two-way street long before Betts became a Bruin. Years earlier, when Close was coaching a U19 Team USA squad in Spain, she received the devastating news that her father had passed away. In that moment of grief, it was then-Stanford recruit Lauren Betts who offered unexpected comfort and empathy. "Lauren gave more to me than I did to her," Close recalled, marveling at the player's innate compassion.
That foundational moment of kindness foreshadowed the trust that would define their relationship. When Betts later faced her own daunting struggles, including a hospitalization during her time at UCLA, the entire program, led by Close, was there to return the favor. "To see our entire program just come alongside Lauren in such a genuine way in her toughest moments," Close said, "that was one of my proudest moments as a coach."
Their story is a powerful testament to the heart of team sports. It’s a reminder that the strongest foundations are built on resilience, empathy, and having each other's backs—values that fuel greatness both on and off the court. For Close and Betts, navigating those heart-crushing moments together made cutting down the nets as national champions all the more meaningful.