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Lauren Betts’s Dad Was Also a Professional Basketball Player

· Yahoo Sports

Meet Basketball Star Lauren Betts’s ParentsMelina Pizano - Getty Images
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Lauren Betts was born into a basketball life. She spent her childhood moving across the country as her father, Andrew “Andy” Betts, pursued a professional basketball career. The family settled in the United States when she was in third grade.

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Betts arrived at Stanford as the top-ranked recruit in the 2022 class, having chosen the Cardinal over offers from Notre Dame, Oregon, UCLA, UConn, and South Carolina. But after one season, she transferred to UCLA, where she became the starting center. She has since earned All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors, along with All-America honorable mention recognition from the AP and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Now a senior, she is pursuing a national title to close out a stellar college career.

Lauren and Sienna (right) with their parents after a game in February.Melina Pizano - Getty Images

Basketball is a full family enterprise for the Betts household. Both of her parents played, and all of her siblings have followed. Her sister Sienna also plays for the Bruins, and her younger brother Dylan has already been invited to USA Basketball’s junior national team camps. Here, get to know Lauren Betts’s parents, Michelle and Andy.

Meet Lauren’s mom, Michelle:

Lauren's mother, Michelle, played volleyball at Long Beach State University in Southern California, where she won the 1993 national championship as an outside hitter on an undefeated team that season. She and Andy, both student athletes, met as students at Long Beach State. They have four children together: Lauren, Sienna, Dylan, and Ashton. Michelle and Andy have since divorced.

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Lauren is especially close to her mother. In 2024, she was briefly hospitalized for depression and wrote about her mental health struggles for The Players’ Tribune. Michelle stayed in Los Angeles for a week with Lauren after she was released.

Michelle with her daughters Sienna (left) and Lauren during the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.Harry How - Getty Images

“Before therapy, I had never felt comfortable talking to anyone other than my mom about really deep and personal things,” Lauren wrote. “With her it’s like, You’re my mom. I know you’re not going to judge me. That’s my safe space. And so, building that level of trust with a stranger took a lot of work.”

Meet Lauren’s dad, Andy Betts:

Andy Betts playing for England at the 2000 European Championships.Pete Norton - Getty Images

Born in Leicestershire, England, Lauren’s father Andy played college basketball at Long Beach State before being selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round of the 1998 NBA Draft. He went on to play professionally in Europe for 14 years, competing in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Ukraine. His career highlights include winning the EuroCup in 2006 with Joventut Badalona and national league titles with AEK Athens in Greece and Real Madrid in Spain.

“Before I ever picked up a ball, I was just a little kid following my dad around Europe, while he was playing basketball professionally. Since my dad worked a lot, it was usually just my mom, my siblings, Sienna and Dylan, and me,” Lauren wrote for The Players’ Tribune. “When we weren’t at school, we were at the beach, or out somewhere eating good food. I look back at photos sometimes, and I’m just kind of stunned that I had such a magical childhood, living in Spain and traveling to all these countries.”

Betts during the 2010 Eurocup, playing for Budivelnyk, a Ukrainian professional basketball club based in Kyiv.Miguel Henriquez - Getty Images

He also represented both the English and Great Britain national teams across a 15-year international career, earning 62 caps before retiring from international play in 2011. (England competes as its own nation in most international basketball competitions sanctioned by FIBA; Great Britain is a combined team drawn from England, Scotland, and Wales that competes in specific tournaments, most notably the Olympics and EuroBasket, the latter of which Andy competed in with Team GB.) Andy retired from professional basketball in 2011.

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Housing market trends favor home shoppers, but Iran war clouds the outlook for mortgage rates

· The Independent

Industrial exoskeletons help workers do more with less strain

· Fox News

If you have ever spent a full day lifting, drilling overhead, or bending over a conveyor belt, you know how quickly fatigue sets in. That is exactly where industrial exoskeletons come in. 

These wearable systems strap onto the body and help carry the load. Instead of your muscles doing all the work, the device shares it. As a result, workers feel less strain and can stay productive longer. This tech is already showing up on real job sites across the country.

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WEARABLE ROBOTICS ARE CHANGING HOW WE WALK AND RUN

Industrial exoskeletons are wearable mechanical systems designed to support your body during physical tasks. They do not replace workers. They help workers perform demanding jobs with less physical stress. There are three main types, and each works differently depending on the job.

Passive systems do not use motors or batteries. Instead, they rely on springs or mechanical structures to redistribute weight.

A strong real-world example is the Hilti EXO-O1. This shoulder harness shifts the weight of your arms to your hips using spring-loaded supports. Testing shows it can reduce shoulder muscle load by up to 47% during overhead work. Many workers say tools feel almost weightless by the end of the day.

Another example is the Laevo FLEX. This passive system uses spring-based assistance to support the lower back during bending and lifting. It is designed for dynamic movement, allowing workers to walk freely and lift without needing to switch the system on or off.

Laevo FLEX also offers adjustable support and is built for long wear across different environments, including outdoor use. Like other passive systems, it helps reduce strain on the lower back during repetitive tasks without adding motors or batteries.

These systems are relatively lightweight, typically between about 4.4 and 8.8 pounds. However, support remains constant during use, so it cannot adapt automatically to different tasks in real time.

Powered exoskeletons use motors, sensors, and onboard processors to actively assist movement. An example is the German Bionic Exia. This battery-powered back exoskeleton is designed for warehouse and logistics work, where employees lift and move items throughout the day. It actively supports the lower back during lifts, helping reduce strain and fatigue over time.

These systems track your motion using sensors and respond almost instantly. Many can detect lifting movements in real time and provide support as you move, so the assistance feels natural instead of delayed.

Powered exoskeletons can significantly reduce the effort required for repetitive lifting tasks, especially in high-volume environments.

However, there are trade-offs. Some powered systems are heavier and can weigh over 40 pounds, depending on the design. They are also far more expensive, often costing tens of thousands of dollars, so most companies introduce them through pilot programs.

NEW EXOSKELETON ADAPTS TO TERRAIN WITH SMART AI POWER

Soft exosuits use fabric, straps and tension systems instead of rigid frames. One example is the HeroWear Apex 2. This lightweight system weighs about three pounds and wraps around the shoulders and waist to assist with lifting movements.

In warehouse testing, soft back-support exosuits have been shown to improve productivity while reducing reported lower back discomfort for workers performing repetitive tasks.

These systems allow more natural movement than rigid exoskeletons. However, they provide less force, so they are best suited for repetitive tasks rather than heavy lifting.

The biggest benefits show up in everyday tasks that put the most strain on your body.

Holding tools above your head all day strains your shoulders and neck. Systems like the Hilti EXO-O1 can reduce muscle load by up to about 47%, making tools feel much lighter.

Back-support systems like the Laevo FLEX shift part of the load away from the spine. Studies show muscle effort can drop by up to 30% during lifting.

Soft systems like the HeroWear Apex 2 help reduce fatigue during constant bending. Workers complete more tasks while feeling less strain by the end of a shift.

Exoskeletons offer real benefits, but they are not perfect. Fit is critical. If a device does not align properly with your body, it can cause discomfort or limit movement. Proper fitting and training are essential. Weight also matters. Even lightweight systems add extra load. Powered systems can weigh more than 40 pounds.

Cost remains a barrier for many companies. Passive systems may cost a few thousand dollars, while powered systems can cost tens of thousands. There is also a long-term consideration. Relying too heavily on assistance could reduce muscle engagement over time. Experts recommend using exoskeletons alongside proper ergonomics and regular movement.

If your job involves physical labor, this technology could change your daily experience. You may feel less sore at the end of a shift. You may reduce your risk of injury over time. You may even be able to work longer without the same level of fatigue. 

For employers, the benefits are clear. Fewer injuries, fewer missed workdays, and more consistent productivity. Adoption is still growing, so many workplaces are testing these systems before rolling them out more broadly.

You might be wondering if you can order one of these like any other piece of gear. In most cases, you cannot. Most industrial exoskeletons are sold directly to companies, not individuals. Manufacturers typically work with employers through pilot programs or bulk orders. That means you will not usually find these on standard retail sites.

Some lighter systems, especially passive or soft exosuits, are easier to access. Even then, many brands still prefer to sell through business channels or approved partners.

If you are interested, start with the manufacturer’s website. Look for options like "request a demo" or "contact sales." This is often the first step before any purchase. For now, access depends on where you work. As adoption grows, that could change. More companies are testing these systems, which may eventually make them easier to get.

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Industrial exoskeletons are moving quickly from early trials to real-world use. They are not replacing human workers. They are helping people work smarter and safer. As the technology improves, expect lighter designs, better comfort, and more intelligent assistance. This shift could redefine what physically demanding work looks like in the years ahead.

If your employer offered you an exoskeleton tomorrow, would you wear it on the job or would you hesitate? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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