The inaugural season of Unrivaled tips off Jan. 17 in Miami with 36 of the top WNBA players taking the court in the new 3-on-3 league. Here’s all you need to know about the groundbreaking season before it begins.
Since the inception of the WNBA, most players in the league get right on a plane after the conclusion of a season to travel across the globe and step right back on the court in the offseason.
The past few years, especially this offseason, that isn’t the case for a good chunk of the top talent int he WNBA. In fact, they are staying home and continuing to play while preparing for the upcoming season.
On Jan. 17, Unrivaled, a groundbreaking first-of-its kind offseason women’s basketball league, tips off its season in Miami after months of anticipation. The league is groundbreaking for multiple reasons, notably providing a boost in pay for players and also allowing them to do so while remaining in the United States rather than heading overseas.
Before the game begins, are you still wondering what Unrivaled is? Or which players — especially Minnesota Lynx players — are playing in the league? Let’s dive into it.
What is Unrivaled?
After continuously seeing players travel overseas right as the offseason begins, Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier and New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart joined forces in 2023 to announce the launch of Unrivaled.
Building off of the expanded growth and interest in women’s basketball, Unrivaled provides players with an opportunity to not only make money in the offseason, but also gives them the chance to build their brands while also preparing for the year ahead in the WNBA.
To change the game you’ve got to create the game pic.twitter.com/9B3aTKf7F1
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) July 13, 2023
Unrivaled features 36 of the top WNBA players spread across six teams, all of which will be playing at one location in Miami. The league will feature a new 3-on-3 style of play with games being played on a compressed court over the course of a nine-week schedule including playoffs. The six teams that comprise the league will play in a round robin schedule, with the top four teams in the standings making the playoffs.
Unrivaled will also include a one-on-one single elimination tournament in February, determining the best one-on-one player in the world.
Who is Playing in the League?
The 36 players part of Unrivaled are spread out across six clubs: Laces, Lunar Owls, Phantom, Mist, Rose and Vinyl.
Among the top stars participating, the Lynx have three players that will be stepping on the court, that being Collier, Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams. Collier and Williams are on the same team, the Lunar Owls, while McBride is part of the Laces.
In addition to those three, it was announced Friday that Lynx guard Natisha Heideman was signed to a relief player contract in place of Marina Mabrey. Heideman, who had been playing in China and is set to be a free agent this offseason, will play for Phantom.
“I’m super proud of Phee and (Stewart) for having this idea and bringing us into it. Where women’s basketball is right now, it’s the perfect time to continue to build onto our exposure,” McBride said on the Hitting the Hardwood Podcast earlier this offseason. “It’s a great way to get ready for the season too. It’s three-on-three, so I’ll definitely be in shape. I’m excited.”
Here’s a look at the complete rosters:
Laces
Head coach: Andrew Wade
- Stephanie Dolson, WAS
- TIffany Hayes, LVA
- Kate Martin, GSV
- Kayla McBride, MIN
- Jackie Young, LVA
Lunar Owls
Head coach: DJ Sackmann
- Shakira Austin, WAS
- Cameron Brink, LAS (will not play in 2025)
- Napheesa Collier, MIN
- Skylar Diggins-Smith, SEA
- Allisha Gray, ATL
- Courtney Williams, MIN
Phantom
Head coach: Adam Harrington
- Natasha Cloud, PHX
- Brittney Griner, PHX
- Sabrina Ionescu, NYL
- Marina Mabrey, CON (currently out with injury)
- Satou Sabally, DAL
- Katie Lou Samuelson, IND
- Natisha Heideman, MIN (on relief player contract)
Mist
Head coach: Phil Handy
- DiJonai Carrington, PHX
- Aaliyah Edwards, WAS
- Rickea Jackson, LAS
- Jewell Loyd, SEA
- Breanna Stewart, NYL
- Courtney Vandersloot, NYL
Rose
Head coach: Nola Henry
- Kahleah Copper, PHX
- Chelsea Gray, LVA
- Lexie Hull, IND
- Angel Reese, CHI
- Azura Stevens, LAS
- Brittney Sykes, WAS
Vinyl
Head coach: Teresa Weatherspoon
- Aliyah Boston, IND
- Rae Burrell, LAS
- Jordin Canada, ATL
- Dearica Hamby, LAS
- Rhyne Howard, IND
- Arike Ogunbowale, DAL
Where Can I Watch and Follow?
In the months prior to the start of the inaugural season, Unrivaled announced a multi-year contract with TNT and truTV to exclusive air games nationally all season long. Games will air three nights a week on either TNT or truTV, along with every game being available via streaming on Max.
IN CASE YOU MISSED THE COMMERCIAL Unrivaled was on TNT for the first time More to come pic.twitter.com/2etKeuDe5f
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) December 11, 2024
Throughout the nine-week schedule, games will air on TNT on Monday and Friday nights, with truTV being the home of all Saturday contests. Unrivaled announced in-depth highlights and additional content will be distributed across platforms, with all audio and visual production support being provided by Mediapro North America throughout the year.
If you are looking for more than just action on-screen, Unrivaled will also be listing scores, standings, statistics and more on its website.
Unrivaled is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before, and it’s going to help change the game of women’s basketball forever. This inaugural season of Unrivaled is groundbreaking for many reasons, with the games finally tipping off Jan. 17 in Miami.