Angel Reese, the rising star of women’s basketball, is set to join the innovative 3v3 league Unrivaled, co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
Reese, who had a stellar rookie season with the Chicago Sky in the WNBA, is making waves by signing on with Unrivaled, a new league that aims to revolutionize the sport.
The league, which kicks off in Miami in January 2025, is designed to offer a fresh take on basketball with a 60-foot court and 60-minute games, showcasing six teams with a total of 30 athletes.
Unrivaled’s announcement of Reese’s involvement was met with excitement, with the league calling her “the barbie unrivaled,” a playful nod to her “Bayou Barbie” moniker from her LSU days. Reese responded enthusiastically on social media, tweeting “305 barbieeeeee,” highlighting her anticipation for this new venture.
In her rookie season, Reese made an impressive debut, earning an All-Star berth and becoming a strong contender for Rookie of the Year with averages of 13.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.
Her move to Unrivaled is seen as a significant development in her burgeoning career.
Unrivaled promises to offer the highest average salary in women’s sports, expected to exceed six figures, a notable shift in the landscape of women’s professional basketball.
This move comes at a time when WNBA players are increasingly seeking offseason opportunities due to challenges such as geopolitical issues and the detainment of fellow players like Brittany Griner.
The league’s star-studded lineup includes notable players such as Chelsea Gray, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Lloyd, Kelsey Plum, Rhyne Howard, Kahleah Copper, and Jackie Young.
Unrivaled aims to provide players with recognition and financial support, ensuring that their on-court achievements are duly rewarded, and reducing reliance on off-court sponsorships.
The WNBA continues to gain popularity, with the 2024 season achieving record viewership. The recent All-Star game drew a remarkable 3.44 million viewers, reflecting a growing interest in women’s basketball.
High-profile investors like Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash, and Megan Rapinoe are also showing support for the sport’s potential.
Breanna Stewart, a co-founder of Unrivaled, expressed that the league’s goal is to transform the game by valuing players’ performances and providing substantial financial rewards.
With Angel Reese joining the ranks, Unrivaled is set to offer fans thrilling basketball action and set new standards in women’s sports.
