Unrivaled is a chance for former teammates like Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally to reunite

Last week, Sabrina Ionescu's addition to Unrivaled became a hot topic throughout the WNBA. The New York Liberty guard, one of the league's most high-profile stars, is coming off a career season punctuated by one of the biggest shots in WNBA history.

For some fans, the best part about Ionescu joining Unrivaled will be reuniting with former Oregon teammate Sato Sabally on the Phantoms. Sabally and Ionescu played together for four seasons, but their senior season with the Ducks was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than four years later, the two are joining forces again.

Ionescu and Sabally didn't get a chance to compete for an NCAA championship in 2020, but will have a chance to compete for an unrivaled title this winter.

Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 basketball team formed by Nafeesa Collier and Brianna Stewart, will be unveiled in Miami next month. Ionescu and Sabally are one of many duos that will be reunited in this brand new basketball environment.

We've introduced some of the fun pairings and reunions that will be held at each club this winter.

Shoelaces: Mega Ace Reunion

Jackie Young (Ace), Tiffany Hayes (Ace), Kayla McBride (Lynx), Alyssa Thomas (Sun), Kate Martin (Valkyries), Stephanie Dolson (Mystics).

The shoelaces are aptly named. Three of the six players (Jackie Young, Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin) were with the Las Vegas Aces last season. Kayla McBride was an ace from 2014 to 2020 and was teammates with Young for two seasons.

There are several other reunions on this roster. Jackie Young and Alyssa Thomas, for example, are reuniting after playing together on the U.S. Olympic team in Paris.

Phantoms: Oregon stars Sabrina Ionescu and Sato Sabally reunite

Sato Sabally (Wings), Marina Mabry (Sun), Brittney Greiner (Mercury), Natasha Cloud (Mercury), Katie Lou Samuelson (Fever), Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty)

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Sato Sabally and Sabrina Ionescu, who were teammates for four years at the University of Oregon, are reunited.

Additionally, the Phantom Club will feature two Mercury players who shared the floor in 2024, Brittney Greiner and Natasha Cloud.

The Phantoms also doubles as a Dallas Wings reunion of sorts. Marina Mabry, Katie Lou Samuelson, and Sato Sabally were all teammates in Dallas in 2020, with Mabry and Sabally ultimately playing together for three seasons before Mabry was traded to Chicago.

Like several other clubs, the Phantoms have Olympic ties, with Greiner and Ionescu playing together on Team USA this summer.

Record: Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard gets another chance in 3×3

Arike Ogunbowale (Wings), Ryne Howard (Dream), Aliyah Boston (Fever), Jordan Canada (Dream), Ray Burrell (Sparks), Dearika Hamby (Sparks)

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Vinyl clubs are some WNBA Reunion. Rhyne Howard and Jordan Canada are currently teammates on the Atlanta Dream, and Dearica Hamby and Ray Burrell are teammates on the Sparks. Canada previously played one season with Hamby and Burrell in Los Angeles, so he will share the floor with familiar former teammates.

Perhaps the most interesting Vinyl Club reunion is between Howard and Hamby, who were teammates on the U.S. 3×3 basketball team at the Paris Olympics. Although Unrivaled's 3-on-3 format differs from FIBA, with matches being full-court and the same length as regular WNBA games, this duo will be able to complete several 3-on-3 challenges on their way to winning the bronze medal. I learned to get over it. medal.

The Mist: Brianna Stewart reunites with Storm teammate Jewell Lloyd

Jewel Lloyd (Storm), Dijonai Carrington (Sun), Brianna Stewart (Liberty), Courtney Vandersloot (Liberty), Rikea Jackson (Sparks), Aaliyah Edwards (Mystics)

Photo credit: Steph Chambers/Getty Images

For Brianna Stewart, the Mist Club is an opportunity to reunite with multiple teammates with whom she won WNBA championships. Stewart and Jewel Lloyd won two championships together with the Seattle Storm and also won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot will also reunite after winning the WNBA Championship in October.

Rose: Former Sky and Sparks teammates reunite

Chelsea Gray (Ace), Carlea Copper (Mercury), Angel Reese (Sky), Britney Sykes (Mystics), Lexi Hull (Fever), Azura Stevens (spark)

Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE, Getty Images

Former Chicago Sky teammates Carlea Copper and Azra Stevens reunite at the Rose Club. 2020 Sparks teammates Chelsea Gray and Brittney Sykes will also join forces once again. Angel Reese and Lexi Hull have not played any significant minutes with the rest of the Rose club.

Lunar Owl: Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams reunite

Napheesa Collier (Lynx), Courtney Williams (Lynx), Skyler Diggins-Smith (Storm), Alisha Gray (Dream), shakira austin (Mystics), Cameron Brink (Sparks, playing only from 2026).

Photo credit: David Berding/Getty Images

Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams will continue to play together after leading the Lynx to the WNBA Finals this fall. This wonderful run ended in a last-minute loss to Liberty. Williams said Colliers' leadership at Unrivaled inspired her to play.

Williams was excited to learn that “Unrivaled” would air on TNT.

“I was like, 'Damn, that's crazy,' because I had no idea they were down like this,” she told SB Nation in October. “But that's the thing. The fact that they can get on that platform is crazy.”