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Unrivaled announces surprise signing of WNBA guard in wake of injury news

A new 3-on-3 women's professional basketball league was announced Friday afternoon, hours before game time, as Unrivaled added another player due to injury. Natisha Hedeman, Minnesota Lynx guard, 6th year WNBA The veteran will join the Phantoms considering the fact that Marina Mabry will be out for two to four weeks with a right calf strain during training camp.

Unrivaled, co-founded by Nafeesa Collier and Brianna Stewart, was previewed on TNT on Friday night and will feature 36 WNBA stars, including Angel Reese, Arike Ogunbowale and more. Each of the league's six teams has six players, but Mabry's injury leaves only five active players.

Still, there's no shortage of talent on Phantom's roster, a group that includes Sato Sabally, Brittney Greiner, Natasha Cloud, Katie Lou Samuelson, and Sabrina Ionescu. Before Hiedeman's arrival, ESPN ranked the Phantoms No. 2 overall in its preseason rankings and expected the team to have the league's best offensive rating.

Hiedeman, who is averaging 6.9 points and 2.9 assists in his career, will temporarily join the Phantoms on a reliever contract to help ease Mabry's absence. The 5-foot-8 guard was one of the top backup guards in the WNBA last season, often filling a similar role to when Courtney Williams sat. Hiedemann is also a player who can expand the field for the Phantoms. She has shot 37.7% from three in her career.

Hiedeman's addition makes particular sense given that Ionescu, who underwent surgery last month to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb, is also not 100%. She also revealed during Thursday's Unrivaled media conference that due to prior commitments, she will not be performing any Unrivaled duties this season.

“They understand that I have an obligation to do and that I can go through it with them and that I am here and want to give my best to my teammates and this team. They were very understanding and very kind,” Ionescu said.

Hiedeman is the first player to sign a reliever contract with Unrivaled this season. Her contract opens the possibility for other WNBA players to sign with the team on a temporary basis in the event of other unforeseen injuries. The Lunar Owls are currently the only team with only five active players. Cameron Brink He will miss the season recovering from a torn ACL.

The Phantoms open the season against the Races on Saturday at 2pm ET on truTV, and Unrivaled gameplay officially begins Friday night at 7pm on TNT Sports.

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