A brand new chapter for women’s professional basketball is on the horizon!

Unrivaled, the innovative 3v3 winter basketball league co-founded by WNBA luminaries Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, has officially unveiled its rosters as it gears up for a debut season starting January 17, 2024. This league aims to keep the competitive fire burning amongst players during the WNBA offseason, providing a much-needed domestic platform for athletes seeking to enhance their skills and supplement their incomes.

The League's Unique Format and Player Selection

Unrivaled has strategically divided a pool of 34 talented players into six dynamic teams while leaving two wildcard slots to attract additional talent. As part of the selection process, players were organized into six pods—A through F—each consisting of guards, wings, and bigs. The league’s coaches collaboratively built well-rounded rosters by selecting one player from each pod, without prior knowledge of which team they would ultimately lead.

Unrivaled has attracted some of the finest players in the WNBA, promising to pay the highest average salaries seen in women’s professional sports history. In a groundbreaking move, the league also offers equity stakes to its inaugural participants, allowing players to share in the league's success for years to come. High-profile investors include sports icons like Alex Morgan, Carmelo Anthony, and Megan Rapinoe, further solidifying Unrivaled's position in the professional sports landscape.

Meet the Teams and Coaches

Team Vinyl (Coached by Teresa Weatherspoon)

- Arike Ogunbowale (Guard, Dallas Wings) - Rhyne Howard (Wing, Atlanta Dream) - Aliyah Boston (Big, Indiana Fever) - Jordin Canada (Guard, Dream) - Rae Burrell (Wing, Los Angeles Sparks) - Dearica Hamby (Big, Sparks)

Team Rose (Coached by Nola Henry)

- Chelsea Gray (Guard, Las Vegas Aces) - Kahleah Copper (Wing, Phoenix Mercury) - Angel Reese (Forward, Chicago Sky) - Brittney Sykes (Guard, Washington Mystics) - Lexie Hull (Wing, Fever) - Azurá Stevens (Big, Sparks)

Team Mist (Coached by Phil Handy)

- Jewell Loyd (Guard, Seattle Storm) - DiJonai Carrington (Wing, Connecticut Sun) - Breanna Stewart (Big, New York Liberty) - Courtney Vandersloot (Guard, Liberty) - Rickea Jackson (Wing, Sparks) - Aaliyah Edwards (Big, Mystics)

Team Lunar Owls (Coached by DJ Sackmann)

- Skylar Diggins-Smith (Guard, Storm) - Allisha Gray (Wing, Dream) - Napheesa Collier (Big, Minnesota Lynx) - Natasha Cloud (Guard, Mercury) - Shakira Austin (Big, Mystics)

Wildcard Team - Phantom (Coached by Adam Harrington)

- Jackie Young (Guard, Aces) - Marina Mabrey (Wing, Sun) - Satou Sabally (Big, Wings) - Tiffany Hayes (Guard, Aces) - Brittney Griner (Big, Mercury)

Wildcard Team - Laces (Coached by Andrew Wade)

- Kelsey Plum (Guard, Aces) - Kayla McBride (Wing, Lynx) - Alyssa Thomas (Big, Sun) - Courtney Williams (Guard, Lynx) - Kate Martin (Wing, Aces) - Stefanie Dolson (Big, Mystics)

Coaching Excellence

The selection of coaches for Unrivaled mirrors a strong emphasis on player development, with many having held roles with NBA and WNBA teams. Notably, Teresa Weatherspoon served as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans prior to her head coach tenure with the Chicago Sky. Phil Handy, a seasoned NBA champion, and Adam Harrington, a former NBA player, bring extensive coaching credentials to lead these teams.

Where and When to Watch

Unrivaled’s inaugural season will unfold over eight weeks and culminate in a championship game in mid-March. Fans can catch all the action on TNT, TruTV, and streaming via Max, with specific games scheduled for Monday and Friday nights, as well as Saturday evenings on TruTV.

Game Dynamics and Player Health Focus

The league will feature a unique 3v3 gameplay structure on a compact court measuring 70 feet in length, aiming to showcase player skills while minimizing the physical toll of extended full-court play. This innovative format stands to revolutionize how the game is played and viewed, similar to the fast-paced 3x3 basketball already popular worldwide.

What About College Basketball Stars?

There's been considerable speculation surrounding Caitlin Clark's participation. Currently, she is not on the roster, but league president Alex Bazzell has indicated that a spot remains open for her. Although other top-tier players like A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu have not committed to Unrivaled either, interest continues to grow in this exciting new league; UConn standout Paige Bueckers has made history as the first NCAA athlete to sign an NIL deal with the league, giving her ownership equity for the organization.

With a promising future ahead, Unrivaled is set to change the landscape of women's basketball. Are you ready for the incredible action this league has to offer? Mark your calendars and get ready to cheer on this dynamic new league!