WASHINGTON (7News) — Lauren Betts arrived in Washington carrying big expectations after a standout college career, but like most rookies, the adjustment to the WNBA wasn’t immediate.
Halfway through her first professional season, the rookie is starting to show why the Mystics believe she can become one of the franchise’s building blocks.
Betts said the biggest change has been learning to trust herself while adapting to the speed and physicality of professional basketball.
“I feel like you just get used to it. It’s an adjustment,” Betts said. “We had a really quick transition from college to the pros, so for me it’s just focusing on my process every day and taking it day by day.”
Rather than trying to force anything, Betts said she’s found success by letting games come to her.
“When I don’t get rushed, when I don’t think too much and I’m not in my head, I just play and let the game come to me,” she said.
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That growing confidence has been aided by veteran teammates, especially center Shakira Austin. Betts credited Austin for challenging her and fellow 2026 first-round pick Angela Dugalic.
“I feel like [Austin] is just constantly feeding confidence and energy into [Dugalic] and I,” Betts said. “Even in practice, she continues to hold the standard every day and I feel like we know what’s expected when we go in.”
Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson said the team has noticed Betts’ progress.
“She’s just more comfortable,” Johnson said. “Whether it’s being a rim presence, not only to score but to play make, she’s being more intentional in defensive concepts and slides, and those things take time to learn.”
Johnson added that the coaching staff witnesses Betts’ growth every day in practice, making her recent performances less of a surprise internally than they may appear from the outside.
“We’re seeing really good things from [Betts] every day,” Johnson said. “The sky’s the limit.”
For Betts, the focus remains simple. As she continues adjusting to the WNBA’s pace and trusting the work she’s putting in, both she and the Mystics believe her best basketball is ahead.
“It’s very early in her career, and she’s already making an impact,” Johnson said. “It’s really exciting to see where she’ll grow here in D.C.”
