NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Oklahoma State vs UCLA UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts 51 reacts during a second round game of the women s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at Pauley Pavilion, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. UCLA defeated Oklahoma State 87-68. Jon Endow/Image of Los Angeles California United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xImagexofxSportx JonxEndowx iosphotos402333
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Oklahoma State vs UCLA UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts 51 reacts during a second round game of the women s 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at Pauley Pavilion, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. UCLA defeated Oklahoma State 87-68. Jon Endow/Image of Los Angeles California United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xImagexofxSportx JonxEndowx iosphotos402333
After helping UCLA win its first-ever NCAA women’s basketball championship on Sunday, Lauren Betts was lauded by many celebrities, including star hooper LeBron James and former US President Barack Obama, but when asked which interaction stood out the most, the senior center gave a surprising answer.
“Tate McRae,” Lauren Betts said. “I’m sorry, nothing tops Tate McRae.”
“I love LeBron [James], I love Obama, but like Tate McRae was insane,” Betts added. “I can’t believe she even recognized me, that’s crazy.”
LeBron James and Obama are certainly cool... but the *coolest* person to congratulation Lauren Betts on her National Championship? pic.twitter.com/6wkPYUrZaJ
— LA Sports Report (@LA_SportsReport) April 9, 2026
The reaction means more than most would assume, as Tate McRae’s music has been woven into the fabric of UCLA’s entire season.
Back in February, Leger-Walker challenged the UCLA dance team to teach her, Betts, and Jaquez a full halftime routine in a single day, with the condition that they would perform it at the men’s game if the video crossed 1,000 likes.
It did, and the rest was history, as Betts, Jaquez, and Leger-Walker stood on the podium at Mortgage Matchup Center moments after the championship win as Just Keep Watching by Tate McRae blared through the arena, with the trio breaking into their now-signature routine.
The Bruins then extended the celebration by performing the dance again with the Clippers Spirit on Wednesday.
So when Tate McRae took to her Instagram Stories to share a video of the performance and tell the world she was a fan, tagging all three players directly, it landed differently than a message from a beloved politician or a wave from a star Hall of Famer.
For someone like Lauren Betts, who genuinely idolizes the singer, a public acknowledgment from the artist behind the song that defined her championship run was something no amount of celebrity goodwill could replicate.
Having said that, the passion for dance has never been a side act for Betts.
She and Jaquez have spoken openly about wanting to take a dance class together in Los Angeles long before any of the viral moments happened.
That being said, winning a national title has only widened that stage, and Lauren Betts already has a specific next step in mind.
Lauren Betts Opens Up About Dancing with the Stars Dream
Speaking to reporters at a ceremonial shift at Raising Cane’s on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood on Thursday, Betts said she would be open to joining Dancing with the Stars if given the chance.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “Oh, my God. I’m glad you said that, so the people know. I would love to do Dancing with the Stars. I feel like that would be so cool.”
Putting aside her off-court interests, Lauren Betts is also focused on what comes next in her basketball career, as she and four of her UCLA teammates are set to attend the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City on Monday, where she is widely projected as a top lottery pick.
Read more at She Got Game!
Written by
Sauramita Debbarma
Edited by
Arvind Rao