Lauren Betts narrows her list to nine

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If the name Lauren Betts rings a bell to basketball fans, it is likely because you have been paying attention to some of the best high school basketball players in the country. Betts, a Centennial, Colorado native, who attends Grandview High School, is the No. 1 ranked player in the 2022 class, according to ESPN.

Betts, who helped the USA U16 team to the FIBA Americas gold medal last summer, is an outstanding athlete that will make an immediate impact when she gets to the college campus of her choosing in two years.

She stands tall at 6’7 and is a dominant presence on both ends of the floor. Betts is an elite interior defender and shot-blocker, who uses both her height and timing, to anchor her team’s defense in the middle. Offensively, Betts has continuously improved over the past couple of years. Her footwork in the paint and ability to finish around the rim make her an extremely difficult guard.

It would be great to see Betts extend her range a bit on the offensive end, and be able to step out and hit mid-range jump shots more consistently, but that part of her game is continuously improving and developing.

Betts also really runs the floor well, and I believe that her passing ability, may be the most overlooked aspect of her game. Betts is a terrific passer, particularly in the interior. She will prove to be a dominant presence at the next level.

Stanford, Oregon, UCLA, UConn, Notre Dame, Louisville, Baylor, Arizona State, and South Carolina represent the nine schools on her list.