Angel Reese has officially joined the group UnparalleledThe NBA is a three-on-three women’s basketball league that will kick off in January in Miami. The league officially announced the rookie star’s participation on Wednesday morning at X, adding another name to the growing list of basketball stars who have committed to remaining in the United States during the WNBA offseason.
What is Unrivaled?
Co-founded by the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled will be comprised of six teams made up of some of the biggest names in the WNBA. Highest average salary In women’s professional sports, the league minimum is $100,000.
The league has a number of big-name investors, including Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Carmelo Anthony and Steve Nash. Now, instead of traveling overseas during the WNBA offseason, players have the opportunity to stay in the United States and play a form of basketball that is less physically demanding than full-court five-on-five matches.
Each team will be made up of five players (three on the court and two on the bench) and will compete against each other over an eight-week period. The top four teams in the league in the regular season will advance to the playoffs. The league will also have a head-to-head component, but details of that have yet to be revealed.
One of the unique things about Unrivaled is that it’s a player-owned game.
“This was created to have our own league, especially for the first 30 players, where all of them are on an equal footing in this league,” Breanna Stewart said. I told the complex“I don’t know how far we’ll be able to go, but I’m really excited to see what’s to come.”
Why Angel Reese?
Angel Reese is having a phenomenal rookie season, recording a league-record 15 consecutive double-doubles and earning a spot on the All-Star team. The No. 7 overall draft pick is averaging 13.5 points and 12 rebounds this season for the Chicago Sky.
She’s also the most-followed WNBA player on social media — Reese has 3.8 million followers — and her joining the league will undoubtedly bring in more attention and sponsorship.
Who else is participating?
The game is set to feature 30 big stars, 10 of whom have already 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
- Ryne Howard, Atlanta Dream
- Kalea Copper, Phoenix Mercury
- Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
- Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
