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Lauren Betts already stands out when she enters almost any room. At 6-foot-7, that comes naturally. The Washington Mystics rookie added a little more style to the equation Thursday as the WNBA returned from its FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup break.
Betts arrived for Washington's game against the Chicago Sky wearing a sleek all-black outfit built around a fitted sleeveless top and long skirt. She paired the look with dark shoes and minimal accessories, producing a simple, elegant appearance before changing into her Mystics uniform.
Athlete Vanity shared photos of Betts' pregame arrival.
There was nothing particularly loud about the look. That was part of what made it work. With Betts' 6-foot-7 frame, the clean silhouette didn't need much else to make an impression. Thursday's arrival also marked the return of something WNBA fans hadn't seen for nearly three weeks.
The tunnels were open again.
Lauren Betts returns for important Mystics stretch
The fashion was the introduction. The basketball is becoming increasingly important. Washington entered Thursday at 24-16 with four games remaining in the regular season and a postseason berth already secured.
Lauren Betts 📸 https://t.co/yYujvLUs9k pic.twitter.com/Dg3lGJkFuy
— Athlete Vanity (@AthleteVanity) September 17, 2026The Mystics' first assignment after the break came against Chicago at Wintrust Arena.
For Betts, the final four games represent the conclusion of an impressive rookie regular season and the beginning of her first opportunity to experience WNBA playoff basketball. The former UCLA star entered the league as one of the most recognizable players in the 2026 draft class.
It wasn't difficult to understand why.
Betts' combination of size and touch made her one of college basketball's most imposing interior players, and Washington has spent her rookie season developing the 22-year-old into an important part of its frontcourt.
At 6-foot-7, Betts presents matchup problems that few teams can replicate in practice.
She has also quickly become one of Washington's most recognizable young players away from the court. Thursday's arrival provided another glimpse of that side of her personality.
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WNBA arrivals become part of league's return
The World Cup break created an unusual pause in the WNBA season. The league stopped play after Aug. 31 to allow players to compete internationally in Germany. Team USA eventually defeated France in the championship game before WNBA players quickly returned to their respective clubs.
Thursday finally brought everyone back together.
Four games filled the schedule, with Atlanta hosting Connecticut, Washington visiting Chicago, Dallas facing Los Angeles and Portland hosting Phoenix.
That meant the return of playoff races and meaningful basketball. It also meant cameras were stationed near arena entrances again.
Pregame fashion has become part of the WNBA experience as the league's visibility has increased. Players have embraced the tunnel as an opportunity to show a side of themselves that isn't always apparent during games.
There isn't one specific WNBA tunnel aesthetic, either.
Some players arrive in designer pieces. Others choose sneakers and streetwear. Some go colorful and adventurous. Others keep everything simple.
Betts chose the latter Thursday. The rookie's all-black look was polished, understated and well suited to her frame.
Then came the wardrobe change that mattered most to Washington. With four games remaining and playoff positioning still available, Betts and the Mystics have very little runway before the postseason begins.
The WNBA is back.
For fans of the basketball and the fashion surrounding it, so is everything that comes with it.
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