UCLA superstar Lauren Betts was overcome with emotion as she celebrated winning the national championship after a battle with depression that sparked suicidal thoughts.
The 22-year-old led the Bruins to a first NCAA title with a blowout win over South Carolina on Sunday.
Betts has been one of the heroes of March Madness and after landing the national championship, she was crowned the Most Outstanding Player in the women’s tournament.
It comes just weeks after she first detailed her struggles with depression that eventually saw Betts check herself into the UCLA hospital to get help.
‘About two years ago, after months of feeling kind of numb, I woke up one morning feeling everything,’ she wrote in The Players’ Tribune.
‘Every anxious thought I’d ever had about myself hit me all at once. My anxiety was at an all-time high. My mind said, I don’t want to do this anymore. “This,” meaning life.’
Lauren Betts wept as she celebrated winning the NCAA title after her battle with depression
UCLA’s victory came just weeks after she first detailed her struggles with her mental health
After Sunday’s win, Betts gave an emotional and powerful interview in which she spoke about her desire to help others battling mental health issues.
Both Betts and her mother wiped away tears as she said: ‘Basketball has been the platform to change people’s lives and when I had that conversation with my mom, I told her: “I was put on this earth not just to score points but to help people.”
‘I’ve gone through my journey because other people have experienced the same thing and I’m always going to speak my truth because I know it’s going to help people.’
Betts was joined on the stage by her sister – and UCLA teammate – Sienna. ‘She’s going to make fun of me because I’m crying,’ the 22-year-old center said.
‘I really can’t put it into words, having your own family on the team is something a lot of people don’t get to experience.
‘I’m so grateful for her – she’s made this season my favorite season I’ve ever experienced and she’s my best friend. I’m just so happy for our family and for her.’
Earlier on Sunday, the UCLA star sat out several minutes of the national championship game after suffering a mysterious issue with her throat.
During the first quarter of Sunday’s clash against the South Carolina Gamecocks, Betts could be seen hunched over on the bench coughing into a towel.
Earlier on in Sunday’s game, the UCLA star suffered a mysterious issue with her throat
She appeared to be frantically complaining to UCLA staff: ‘I have something stuck in my throat!’
Betts was seen coughing and grimacing on the bench, while cameras also caught a member of medical staff seen examining inside her mouth.
She was given an inhaler and what appeared to be an energy gel before eventually returning to the game in the second quarter.
At halftime, Betts was interviewed about the injury and she admitted to ESPN: ‘I don’t know what was going on – I think it’s really dry in here… but I’m good.’
