Sienna Betts Injury Update: Will UCLA Freshman Return Soon After Setback vs. UCSB?

UCLA head coach Cori Close has provided an important update on freshman forward Sienna Betts following the team’s 87–50 win over UC Santa Barbara. Betts, who has been sidelined since mid-October with a leg injury, remains without a confirmed return date. The update comes as the Bruins improve to 2–0 to start the 2025–26 season.

Close, now in her 15th year leading UCLA, confirmed that Betts is progressing but that the staff is being cautious. The coach described the recovery process as “week by week,” emphasizing that there is still no timeline for the freshman’s debut. Betts, a highly touted recruit, suffered the injury during a scrimmage against UC Riverside on October 19 and has not yet been cleared to play.

Coach Cori Close Shares Cautious Optimism in Latest Sienna Betts Injury Update

Speaking in her postgame press conference, Close said, “We’re taking it day by day with her. She was in there working this morning and I was like, oh yeah, I sure would like to get her out there. We really are just sort of a week-by-week kind of thing.”

Betts has been spotted in a walking boot since the incident, suggesting the program is prioritizing long-term recovery over an early-season return. “I asked our trainer today how they feel about her progress,” Close added. “She’s doing a great job, it’s going really well, but I literally haven’t been given a timeline yet.”

The former No. 2 player in ESPNW’s 2025 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings, Betts brings elite size, skill, and IQ to a Bruins team already loaded with talent. Her presence alongside sister Lauren Betts and standouts like Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, Charlisse Leger-Walker, and Gabriela Jaquez makes UCLA one of the most complete teams in the nation. However, Close emphasized patience, saying Betts will not return until she’s fully ready.

How UCLA Is Thriving Despite Sienna Betts’ Absence

Even without Sienna Betts, the Bruins have looked dominant early in the season. They opened with a commanding 77–53 victory in their first game, followed by a decisive 87–50 win over UCSB. Lauren Betts, Jaquez, Rice, and Kneepkens have taken charge offensively, each contributing major scoring outputs to keep the team unbeaten.

Against UCSB, Jaquez led with 21 points and six rebounds, Rice added 20 points and eight rebounds, while Kneepkens matched with 20. Lauren Betts chipped in 12 points as UCLA outscored the Gauchos 30–9 in the second quarter to pull away. The Bruins’ starters accounted for the majority of points, showing the squad’s depth and balance even without their star freshman.

The road ahead, however, features tougher matchups against ranked programs. As UCLA builds early momentum, fans are eager to see how much stronger they can become once Sienna Betts joins the rotation. Her combination of post presence and versatility could elevate the Bruins to true national title contention.

For now, Sienna Betts remains sidelined, but progress is steady. UCLA continues to roll, and her eventual return could make an already elite team even more dangerous heading into conference play.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the latest Sienna Betts injury update?

Coach Cori Close said the team is taking Betts’ recovery day by day with no set return date yet. She’s progressing well but remains out for now.

Q2: How long has Sienna Betts been injured?

Betts has been sidelined since October 19 after tweaking her left leg during a UC Riverside scrimmage.

Q3: When could Sienna Betts return for UCLA?

No timeline has been confirmed, but Close described the situation as week to week. Her return likely depends on continued progress in rehab.

Q4: How is UCLA performing without Sienna Betts?

The Bruins are 2–0 and have won both games by 25+ points, led by strong performances from Rice, Jaquez, and Lauren Betts.

Q5: Why is Sienna Betts important to UCLA?

As a top recruit, her size, court awareness, and chemistry with her sister Lauren Betts could make UCLA a championship contender.