UCLA freshman Sienna Betts could make college debut Tuesday night against Cal Poly

The long-awaited debut of UCLA freshman Sienna Betts will likely take place Tuesday night, when the Bruins host Cal Poly in Westwood.

Betts, the No. 2 recruit in the country, would bolster the fourth-ranked Bruins (9-1), who have been without her and forward Timea Gardiner through the first 10 games.

Betts, the 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game MVP, has been sidelined with a leg injury suffered in an exhibition game.

UCLA's bench has seen efficiency with Angela Dugalic and Lena Bilic, but Betts gives coach Cori Close an added option at an elite level.

During Close's postgame interview after last week's win over Oregon, she said Betts could see minutes against Cal Poly barring any setbacks. Close added it'll be with a minutes restriction.

"You never know because for return to play you have to have no hitches, right? But I’m hopeful," Close said. "My hope is that she’s going to be able to get some minutes against Cal Poly.

"I’m not giving you a guarantee. I’m not telling you it’s for sure going to happen, but my hope is that we’re going to be in that place."

Betts' older sister, Lauren, spoke of her sister's debut last week while attending USA Basketball's senior women's national team's first training camp.

"This has been a really up-and-down process for her," Lauren Betts said. "No one wants to be injured, especially going into your first year in college.

"She’s been putting in a lot of hard work, and I’m so excited for her to get the opportunity to step on the floor for the first time, because she’s really had an amazing attitude throughout all of this."