UCLA's Close hails Betts' mental health 'courage'

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She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee
She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans
She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintLOS ANGELES -- A day after UCLA center Lauren Betts opened up about her struggle with depression in a story for the Players' Tribune, head coach Cori Close said she couldn't be "more impressed and inspired" by Betts' "courageous vulnerability."In the story published on Thursday, Betts wrote about challenges she has had with her mental health, including the games she missed during her sophomore season in January 2024
During that time, she said she checked herself into the UCLA hospital to get help.In a news conference on Friday, Betts said she wanted to write the story because "it was a good opportunity for me to show the growth that I've had in the past few years."When asked about her reaction to seeing Betts' story, Close said, "I cannot imagine, when I was that age, having that kind of courage.""And having experienced some of those things alongside her and with her, to see even just being over there and watching her answer the question about why she did that, I think spoke to her growth," Close said
It's incredible to watch how she's grown and healed in miraculous ways
And I couldn't be any prouder."In the story, Betts said when she returned to her team in 2024, she addressed her teammates to let them know why she missed that time."My mom and Cori encouraged me to address what happened and just speak from the heart," Betts said in the story
"So in the film room, before practice started, I spoke to everyone
I said, 'I just want you all to know...

I've been dealing with depression
This is what's been going on in my head
And I'm sorry that I had to leave.' Then I braced myself for their reactions."And of course, there was never anything to worry about
They were all like, 'We're so happy that you took care of yourself
We love you.'"On Friday, Betts said she has "healed so much" since her sophomore year."And I think to write it from my perspective was really special for me," Betts said
I think that it was just an amazing opportunity for me to continue to speak on what I stand for and why I play basketball and why ..

I think for me, this is so much bigger than myself
So I think the people that I've been able to impact really means a lot to me and that's why I wanted to do it."Earlier in the week, Betts was named First Team All-American
16 seed California Baptist on Saturday at 10 p.m