Grandview’s Lauren Betts named Gatorade Colorado girls basketball player of the year for second time

CHICAGO – Grandview’s Lauren Betts was named the 2021-22 Gatorade Colorado Girls Basketball Player of the Year, the organization announced Wednesday. Betts has earned the award for the second straight year.

The 6-foot-7 senior had led the Wolves to a 16-9 record and a berth in the Class 5A state Final 4 this season. Betts averaged 17.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.4 blocks per game through 24 games. Ranked as the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2022 by HoopGurlz and PrepGirlsHoops.com, Betts was the lone high-school player on the USA Basketball Under-19 Team that won the gold medal at the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup. A three-time First Team All-State selection, she entered the state quarterfinals with prep career totals of 1,475 points, 942 rebounds and 324 blocks.

She was recently selected as a participant in the upcoming Girls McDonald’s All-American Game. She was selected from a large group of nominees and is now recognized as one of the top 24 girls basketball players in the nation.

Betts has volunteered locally with Project C.U.R.E., which prepares medical supplies to be sent to developing countries around the world. She has also donated her time at the Ronald McDonald House-Denver and as a youth basketball coach.

“Lauren has always presented problems since she arrived at Grandview at 6-foot-7,” said Arapahoe head coach Jerry Knafelc. “This season, Lauren has really improved her overall game. She has developed a consistent mid-range shot, improved her free throws and, more importantly, she has improved her passing and decision-making.”

Betts has maintained a weighted 3.58 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball on scholarship at Stanford University this fall.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Betts as Colorado’s best high school girls basketball player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award to be announced in March, Betts joins an elite alumni association of state award-winners in 12 sports, including Skylar Diggins-Smith (2008-09, Washington High School, Ind.), Nneka Ogwumike (2007-08, CyFair High School, Texas), Maya Moore (2006-07, Collins Hill High School, Ga.), Candace Parker (2002-03 & 2003-04, Naperville Central High School, Ill.), and Lisa Leslie (1989-90, Morningside High School, Calif.).

Two-time winner Betts joins recent Gatorade Colorado Girls Basketball Players of the Year Jana Van Gytenbeek (2019-20, Cherry Creek High School), Francesca Belibi (2018-19, Regis Jesuit High School), and Camilla Emsbo (2017-18, Lakewood High School), among the state’s list of former award winners.