Playing for Longevity

LuskinOIC not only helps athletes recover from injuries, it also provides much-needed support so more children can participate in sports.

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UCLA basketball player Sienna Betts’ success goes far beyond the stat sheet. As one of the top high school players in the country, she signed with the Bruins women’s team in November 2024 and is in her sophomore year at UCLA. She is a 2026 NCAA National Champion, a two-time USA Basketball gold medalist and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

Yet Sienna looks beyond her personal achievements with a team-first mindset.

“My role on the team is to do whatever I need to do to help us win,” says the athlete. “I’ve never been too focused on stats.”

Sienna has played basketball since age 5, learning over the years that high-level success requires more than talent. Recovery, nutrition and understanding her body are essential to performing—especially at the collegiate level.

“As a kid, it’s easy to just go out and play without thinking about recovery and nutrition,” she points out. “But as you get older and start training more and playing more competitively, those things become much more important, and you have to learn what your body needs to perform.”

That lesson became especially meaningful after an injury early in her freshman season. As she healed, Sienna gained a new perspective on the importance of support, patience and an identity beyond basketball.

“The recovery process taught me a lot about how important it is to surround yourself with people who will help you get through it physically,” she shares, “but also those who help you remember that you’re more than a basketball player.”

Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children is proud to sponsor Sienna as she develops as an elite athlete. The organization champions young athletes at every stage—from Little League to the collegiate level—through athlete sponsorships and specialized sports medicine care.

The organization also works to ensure that more children—including those who are underserved—can participate in sports and reach their potential. Community outreach programs, sports injury prevention workshops and global initiatives to deliver orthopaedic care are just some of the ways LuskinOIC is committed to the health of young athletes.

“As a sports medicine physician, I’m a strong supporter of youth physical activity of any kind,” says Joshua Goldman, MD, the associate director of non-operative sports medicine at LuskinOIC. “Organized sports are a great way to learn physical literacy concurrent with social skills, teamwork, determination and grit.”

Today, Sienna prioritizes listening to her body, trusting the team’s support staff and balancing hard work with down time. “You want to be dedicated and work hard,” she says, “but not at the expense of rest.”

“Recovery is just as important as training, and two of the most overlooked aspects of recovery are sleep and nutrition,” says Dr. Goldman, who is also the team physician for UCLA football, men’s soccer and women’s water polo teams. “Sleep plays a vital role in muscle repair, hormone regulation and reaction time.”

For young athletes making the transition to college sports, Sienna’s advice is simple: Learn to recognize what your body needs, ask for help and give yourself time to adjust.

“Playing in college is really different than high school,” she says. “Your body isn’t used to it yet, so you have to give yourself time to get used to a more intense environment.”

Away from the court, Sienna enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and going to the beach. Through the demands of competition and the challenges of recovery, one principle remains central: Playing for the long term means taking care of yourself while continuing to show up for your team.

LuskinOIC’s mission to create more opportunities for young athletes is set to take shape with a new location specializing in sports medicine, opening soon in the South Bay.