The connection between Cori Close and Lauren Betts goes way beyond basketball. The two reached new heights for the UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team, winning the program’s first NCAA title on Sunday versus South Carolina.
To celebrate the championship, Close appeared on the Rich Eisen Show and told a personal story about how the two were there for each other when they needed it most.
Betts hasn’t been shy about her battles with mental health, which included being hospitalized while playing with UCLA.
“As much as I am proud of our staff, what we accomplished as a national champion, and all those things. I’m actually more proud of how we show up for our players on the hard days,” Close said. “That was one of my proudest moments as a coach, to see our entire program just come alongside Lauren in such a genuine way in her toughest moments.”
It wasn’t a one-way street between Close and Betts either. While Betts was still a Stanford recruit, Close was coaching a U19 Team USA team in Spain. During that trip, Close’s father passed away. Well before Betts was thinking of coming to UCLA, she was there for Close.
“I’m telling you, she is so empathic,” Close said of Betts. “Lauren gave more to me than I did to her. Then fast forward two years later, to be in that room with her, it’s scary.”
There may have been some heart-crushing moments in between, but the ending couldn’t have been any better for Close and Betts. With UCLA wrapping up the program’s best-ever season with a convincing win in the national title game.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Cori Close and Lauren Betts had each other’s backs through tough times
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
