University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
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Vote Now: Betts, Grant Nominated for the 2026 ESPYS
June 26, 2026 | Softball, Women's Basketball, Bruin Athletics
LOS ANGELES – UCLA's Lauren Betts (women's basketball) and Megan Grant (softball) have been nominated for awards at the 2026 ESPYS. ESPN announced nominees for 22 categories for its annual awards show on Thursday.
CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE ESPYS
Fan voting helps determine the ESPY winner. Fans may vote once per day from June 25 through July 15.
The 2026 ESPYS celebrates the biggest names and moments in sports. Hosted by comedian Marcello Hernández, this year's awards show returns to New York City and will air live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The ceremony marks the 34th edition of the ESPYS and will air July 15 at 5 p.m. PT on ABC and the ESPN app.
Lauren Betts, Best College Athlete (Women's Sports)
Betts is one of four nominees for Best College Athlete (Women's Sports). She is joined on the ballot by Pittsburgh volleyball player Olivia Babcock, Northwestern lacrosse player Madison Taylor and Oklahoma gymnast Faith Torrez.
Betts led UCLA to its second national championship and first NCAA title in program history this past season while pacing the Bruins in scoring (17.1 points per game) and rebounding (8.8 rebounds per game). The 2025-26 Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year became just the third player in NCAA history to record at least 600 points, 300 rebounds, 100 assists and 75 blocks in a single season, anchoring the Bruins on both ends of the floor.
Megan Grant, Best Record-Breaking Performance
Grant is one of four nominees for Best Record-Breaking Performance. She is joined on the ballot by NFL defensive lineman Myles Garrett, cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and long-distance runner Sabastian Sawe.
Grant set the NCAA Division I single-season home run record with 43 home runs in 2026, surpassing the previous mark of 37 set by Arizona's Laura Espinoza in 1995. She also became UCLA's career and single-season home run leader, finishing with 91 career home runs to pass UCLA Athletic Hall of Famer Stacey Nuveman in both categories.
Grant was named one of three finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award and one of four finalists for the Honda Sport Award. She concluded her UCLA career as a three-time NFCA All-American and four-time all-conference first-team selection.
CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE ESPYS
Fan voting helps determine the ESPY winner. Fans may vote once per day from June 25 through July 15.
The 2026 ESPYS celebrates the biggest names and moments in sports. Hosted by comedian Marcello Hernández, this year's awards show returns to New York City and will air live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The ceremony marks the 34th edition of the ESPYS and will air July 15 at 5 p.m. PT on ABC and the ESPN app.
Lauren Betts, Best College Athlete (Women's Sports)
Betts is one of four nominees for Best College Athlete (Women's Sports). She is joined on the ballot by Pittsburgh volleyball player Olivia Babcock, Northwestern lacrosse player Madison Taylor and Oklahoma gymnast Faith Torrez.
Betts led UCLA to its second national championship and first NCAA title in program history this past season while pacing the Bruins in scoring (17.1 points per game) and rebounding (8.8 rebounds per game). The 2025-26 Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year became just the third player in NCAA history to record at least 600 points, 300 rebounds, 100 assists and 75 blocks in a single season, anchoring the Bruins on both ends of the floor.
Megan Grant, Best Record-Breaking Performance
Grant is one of four nominees for Best Record-Breaking Performance. She is joined on the ballot by NFL defensive lineman Myles Garrett, cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and long-distance runner Sabastian Sawe.
Grant set the NCAA Division I single-season home run record with 43 home runs in 2026, surpassing the previous mark of 37 set by Arizona's Laura Espinoza in 1995. She also became UCLA's career and single-season home run leader, finishing with 91 career home runs to pass UCLA Athletic Hall of Famer Stacey Nuveman in both categories.
Grant was named one of three finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award and one of four finalists for the Honda Sport Award. She concluded her UCLA career as a three-time NFCA All-American and four-time all-conference first-team selection.
Players Mentioned
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