Will Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin join new WNBA offseason 3×3 basketball league?

The unparalleled basketball league is set to launch in January and it looks like it’s going to be pretty epic. WNBAThe NBA’s biggest stars have the option to stay and play in the U.S. rather than go overseas during the offseason, thanks to Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. University of Connecticut The two are launching a new 3×3 basketball league that will take place in Miami for eight weeks over the winter and offer a number of other unique elements, including a $150,000 base salary, ownership equity and a head-to-head tournament with a $250,000 prize.

The big question so far has been who will play. The league has had some fun with the announcements, either teasing the names of those participating with online hints or announcing a new star every few days. That has increased attention and buzz around the league and sparked a lot of speculation about who will and won’t play.

What we do know is that 30 women’s basketball stars will participate in the inaugural season, with six teams of five players each. So far, 15 WNBA stars have been revealed: Alisha Gray (Dream), Angel Reese (Sky), Arike Ogunbowale (Wings), Breanna Stewart (Liberty), Chelsea Gray (Aces), Dearrica Hamby (Sparks), Jackie Young (Aces), Jewel Loyd (Storm), Kalea Copper (Mercury), Kayla McBride (Lynx), Kelsey Plum (Aces), Marina Mabry (Sun), Napheesa Collier (Lynx), Rhyne Howard (Dream) and Sato Sabally (Wings).

Notably missing from this list are 12 All-Stars for the 2024 season: DeWanna Bonner (Sun), Breonna Jones (Sun), Jonquel Jones (Liberty), Kelsey Mitchell (Fever), Nneka Ogwumike (Storm), Brittney Griner (Mercury), Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty), Diana Taurasi (Mercury), Alyssa Thomas (Sun), A’ja Wilson (Aces), Kaitlyn Clark (Fever) and Aaliyah Boston (Fever).

Some of them will likely play (I’m betting on A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu), while others will likely use the time to rest (I imagine 42-year-old Diana Taurasi and 37-year-old DeWanna Bonner will view the winter as a chance to recuperate during the offseason).

Will Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin and Cameron Brink appear in Unrivaled?

Napheesa Collier, one of the league’s co-founders, has already confirmed four newcomers will be joining Unrivaled. So far, only Angele Reese has been announced, and earlier this month she explained why she chose to participate.

“It’s a blessing to be in Miami from January to March and not have to go overseas,” Reese said, “Nobody wants to go overseas. A lot of us don’t want to go overseas, but unfortunately some of us have to go overseas. So within three months, I can make a six-figure income, live in Miami, and be better for it.”

“It’s great to get to know two great players who are going to start something. 3-on-3 is my favorite sport. I haven’t played it competitively yet, but I think in 3-on-3 it’s all going to be revealed and I’ll be able to hone my individual skills. So I’m looking forward to it.”

Needless to say, Kaitlyn Clark will be a big draw from a marketing standpoint alongside Reese. Clark has brought unprecedented attention to the WNBA this year, leading the league in jersey sales and starring in nearly every game this season, which has broken viewership records. It wouldn’t be surprising if Clark is scheduled to be the last player announced to join Unrivaled, and it would be a bit of a disappointment if the rollout ends without her announcement.

Clark hasn’t said whether she plans to play, but given how much of a sprint it was from college to the pros, it would make sense that she would want to get some rest during the WNBA offseason.

“To be honest, that’s all I’m focused on right now.” she told reporters. At practice last week. “One thing at a time. I can’t always move on to the next. My focus is here.”

From a basketball standpoint, Clark and Reese are the best newcomers this season, followed by Rekea Jackson, Aaliyah Edwards, Camila Cardoso and, if not for a season-ending Achilles injury, Cameron Brink, who will likely miss her first year with the Unrivaled given the fact that she won’t be able to recover in time for January games.

First-year players Leonie Fiebic, Julie VanLoo and Sevgi Uzun have also been solid, but as international players, they are less likely to want to stay in the U.S. year-round and have stronger loyalties to their international clubs. They also do not have the name recognition that some of the other players have.

So the other three rookies joining Unrivaled in their first year will likely be some combination of Clark, Jackson, Edwards and Cardozo. Jackson has been elite this year and has definitely earned his spot with his on-court play. Edwards and Cardozo have both shown steady improvement this season.

Kate Martin is another name to consider. Martin will have a smaller role on the court than some of the other players, but she’ll be a big benefit from a marketing standpoint. Her jerseys are already 4th best selling jersey For this year’s league, Unrivaled has an incentive to acquire the most popular players in the league to get the concept off the ground.

Additionally, Martin is teammates with Aces guards Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum, all of whom were announced as Unrivaled participants, so it’s likely the veterans encouraged Martin to participate. All three Olympians praised Martin’s maturity and well-rounded play this year.

When asked by reporter Owen Seibring about his offseason plans, Martin replied cryptically, “I have plans. I just haven’t revealed them yet.”

As announcements continue over the coming weeks, we’ll know which recruits we’ll see in Miami come January, and whether Iowa stars Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin are selected. For now, we’ll just have to wait for more hints to emerge from Unrivaled’s official social media accounts.