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All About UCLA Basketball Star Lauren Betts' Parents, Andy and Michelle Betts

All About UCLA Basketball Star Lauren Betts' Parents, Andy and Michelle Betts https://ift.tt/aZ0BfwS

Andy and Michelle Betts welcomed three children, Lauren, Sienna and Dylan, during their marriage

Lauren Betts and family.Credit: Melina Pizano/Getty
Lauren Betts and family.
Credit: Melina Pizano/Getty

Lauren Betts has had the support of her parents, Andy and Michelle Betts, through her basketball journey.

The University of California, Los Angeles senior grew up in Spain with her younger siblings, sister Sienna and brother Dylan, while Andy played professional basketball in Europe.

In a 2026 essay for Players’ Tribune, Lauren wrote about her unique upbringing: “Before I ever picked up a ball, I was just a little kid following my dad around Europe, while he was playing basketball professionally.”

“Since my dad worked a lot, it was usually just my mom, my siblings, Sienna and Dylan, and me,” she added.

The family later relocated to Colorado when Lauren was in the third grade. Andy and Michelle have since divorced.

From their sports history to supporting their kids, here’s everything to know about Lauren Betts’ parents, Andy and Michelle Betts.

Andy and Michelle met in college

England's Andy Betts takes a free throwCredit: Stephen Pond/EMPICS/Getty
England's Andy Betts takes a free throw
Credit: Stephen Pond/EMPICS/Getty

Michelle and Andy met while they were both attending Long Beach State in Long Beach, Calif. Andy played basketball, and Michelle was an outside hitter on the women’s volleyball team.

She won a national championship with her team in 1998 after an undefeated season.

Andy played professional basketball

England's Andy Betts takes a free throwCredit: Stephen Pond/EMPICS/Getty
England's Andy Betts takes a free throw
Credit: Stephen Pond/EMPICS/Getty

After making his debut for the English national basketball team, Andy was drafted in the 1998 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round as the 50th overall pick.

He spent his professional career playing abroad for various European teams, including Teamsystem Bologna, AEK Athens, TAU Cerámica, DKV Joventut and more.

He retired in 2011, saying in a statement at the time: “My decision to retire is based on my wish to spend time with my family. I think it's time to let the younger guys have their turn with GB.”

"Playing for England and GB has given me so many good memories and has made me so proud," he added. “I have played for my country for 13 years and loved every minute of it."

They have three children together

Lauren Betts #51 and #16 of the UCLA Bruins warm up prior to the second round game of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 23, 2026 in Los AngelesCredit: Melina Pizano/Getty
Lauren Betts #51 and #16 of the UCLA Bruins warm up prior to the second round game of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 23, 2026 in Los Angeles
Credit: Melina Pizano/Getty

Lauren is Andy and Michelle's oldest child and was born on Oct. 15, 2003, in Spain. Sienna was born on Oct. 3, 2006, followed by Dylan on Mar. 8, 2010.

“When we weren’t at school, we were at the beach, or out somewhere eating good food," Lauren wrote of growing up in Spain with her siblings in her Players’ Tribune essay. "I look back at photos sometimes, and I’m just kind of stunned that I had such a magical childhood, living in Spain and traveling to all these countries."

The family lived abroad until they relocated to Colorado, where Michelle was raised, before Lauren began third grade.

Andy and Michelle divorced at some point but maintained shared custody of their kids, and lived only a few minutes away from each other in Colorado, per ESPN.

All of their kids play basketball

Sienna Betts during a Feb. 4, 2026 game in Los Angeles ; Lauren Betts during a March 23, 2026, game in Los AngelesCredit: Jordan Teller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos/Getty; Melina Pizano/Getty
Sienna Betts during a Feb. 4, 2026 game in Los Angeles ; Lauren Betts during a March 23, 2026, game in Los Angeles
Credit: Jordan Teller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos/Getty; Melina Pizano/Getty

Lauren and Andy aren’t the only basketball players in the family.

In November 2023, Sienna verbally committed to play basketball at UCLA alongside Lauren. Before joining the Bruins in 2025 as a forward, she confirmed she would be wearing Michelle’s college volleyball number on her jersey. (Lauren wears her dad's number, 51).

“Welp. My daughter chose to wear my number at UCLA and I have cried all of my makeup off. #16 I can’t wait to see you play at the next level and live your best life in LA next year,” Michelle wrote on X in March 2025, sharing several photos of Sienna and one of herself in their jerseys.

Dylan is a high school student, set to graduate in 2028, who plays basketball at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. In an April 2025 interview with USA Basketball, he spoke about the impact that Lauren and Sienna have had on him.

“You definitely learn a lot as you watch them,” he shared. “They’re very talented and they obviously know a lot. Watching both of them, you just learn what it takes to be a USA Basketball player and the communication you need, everything.”

Lauren calls Michelle her “safe space”

Michelle and Lauren Betts.Credit: laurenmariebetts/Instagram
Michelle and Lauren Betts.
Credit: laurenmariebetts/Instagram

Lauren, who is 6' 7", has been open about being the victim of bullying as a child due to her height, and also about dealing with mental health struggles throughout her college career.

She attended Stanford University for her freshman year before transferring to UCLA, and was hospitalized in 2024 due to her depression. Beginning therapy after her hospitalization has been a part of her healing journey, but it was initially an adjustment to find support outside of her “safe space,” Michelle.

“Before therapy, I had never felt comfortable talking to anyone other than my mom about really deep and personal things," Lauren wrote in her Player's Tribune essay. "With her it’s like, You’re my mom. I know you’re not going to judge me. That’s my safe space. And so, building that level of trust with a stranger took a lot of work.”

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