Angel Reese is officially joining Unrivaled, a new three-on-three women’s basketball league tipping off in Miami in January. The league officially announced the rookie sensation’s participation on Wednesday morning on X, adding another name to the growing list of basketball stars committed to staying in the US during the WNBA offseason.
What is Unrivaled?
Unrivaled, co-founded by the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, will be composed of six teams made up of the biggest names of the WNBA. It also promises to offer the highest average salary in women’s pro sports — with a league minimum of $100,000.
The league has a long list of high-profile investors, including Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Carmello Anthony, and Steve Nash. Now, rather than going overseas during the WNBA offseason, players have the opportunity to stay stateside and play a form of basketball that is less taxing on their body than full-court five-on-five.
Each team will have five players — three on the court, two on the bench — and compete for eight weeks. The top four teams in the league during the regular season will be featured in the playoffs. There is also a on-on-one component to the league, though details have not yet been specified.
One unique aspect about Unrivaled is that it will be player-owned.
”It’s built for us to have a league of our own where, especially these first 30 players, are all going to have a piece of equity in this league,” Breanna Stewart said to Complex. “Just realize that it’ll go as far as we take it, and I’m really excited for what’s to come.”
Why Angel Reese?
Angel Reese has had a phenomenal rookie season to date, racking up a league-record 15 consecutive double-doubles and being named to the All-Star team. After being drafted 7th overall, Reese has averaged 13.5 points and 12 rebounds for the Chicago Sky this season.
She’s also the most followed WNBA player on social media — Reese has 3.8 million followers, and her participation in the league will undeniably bring more eyes and sponsorships.
Who else is participating?
Thirty of the games biggest stars are slated to participate, 10 of whom have been announced:
Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces
Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm
Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury
Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
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