Unrivaled is a 3v3 women’s basketball league founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier to allow players to stay in the United States during the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) off-season.
The league provides top WNBA players the opportunity to continue developing their skills in an environment outside of the WNBA. There are eight teams with six players on each roster, along with a six-player development pool. They announced their rosters for the 2027 season on Nov. 4.
Previously, they held a draft for all players, with the exception of existing teams being able to select one to two players from the prior season, depending on whether they made the playoffs or not. It appears this year the teams were chosen differently, as I personally think there are too many coincidences between the rosters for a draft to have occurred.
Breeze BC
As one of the two new teams in the recent season, Breeze Basketball Club (BC) made it all the way to the semifinals in their first season. Paige Bueckers returns with Dominique Malonga, two of just four returning Breeze BC players. In her rookie season with the Dallas Wings, Bueckers played with Dijonai Carrington, an impeccable two-way player.
They’re joined by Monique Billings, who was part of Hive BC last season. Although Billings doesn’t have a direct connection with anyone on the team, she’ll make a great addition, especially with her previous Unrivaled experience. Bueckers is essentially the glue of the team, setting her up to become a leader for the team.
Nicknamed Team Glizzy (by me), Bueckers is joined by former University of Connecticut (UConn) teammate, Kaitlyn Chen, and former FIBA World Cup teammate, Kahleah Copper. Chen wore a hot dog costume to game seven of the WNBA Finals; Copper has also worn a hot dog costume in the past, and Bueckers talks about a glizzy like her life depends on it.
Chen was announced to replace Kate Martin in Unrivaled, who was on Breeze BC last year. It’s highly probable that Chen took Martin’s spot on Breeze BC. Chen joins the league immediately after a WNBA Championship, and prior to that, in 2025, she and Bueckers won a national title with UConn.
Hive BC
Eliminated from playoff contention last season, Hive BC will fight for a playoff spot in their second season. Sonia Citron and Natisha Hiedeman return to the team, along with Cameron Brink from Breeze BC, Rae Burrell from Vinyl BC, and Naz Hillmon from Laces BC. The only player to make their Unrivaled debut this season is Olivia Miles.
WNBA teammates on the Los Angeles Sparks, Brink and Burrell, reunite in Unrivaled. The only other obvious connection is between Citron and Miles, former teammates at the University of Notre Dame. Despite the lack of connections between players, they’re still a stacked team with plenty of talent.
Laces BC
Despite five returning players to Unrivaled from last season’s Laces BC, only Jackie Young and Maddy Siegrist return to the team. Young is back with her former Notre Dame teammate, Jessica Shepard, who’s making her Unrivaled debut this season. Not to mention, Siegrist and Shepard both play for the Dallas Wings, the WNBA team with the most Unrivaled players.
They’re joined by Gabby Williams, the WNBA 2026 Finals Most Valuable Player, and Marine Johannès, both making their Unrivaled debut. This is a fan favorite pairing, as Williams and Johannès are a beloved WNBA couple.
The final player on the roster is Satou Sabally, coming from the Phantom BC last season. Sabally and Johannès are teammates on the New York Liberty, making this team highly connected and likely highly successful.
Lunar Owls BC
This team has the most returners among the Unrivaled teams, with four in total. This includes Collier, who missed the entire recent season due to injury, but was part of the team in the first season of Unrivaled. She is joined by Marina Mabrey, Skylar Diggins, and Temi Fágbénlé.
With Collier back, Courtney Williams from Breeze BC, and newcomer Sydney Taylor, Lunar Owls BC will fight to make the playoffs after having missed it last season.
Mist BC
As the reigning champs, Mist BC has half of their winning roster this season. Stewart joins Veronica Burton and Arike Ogunbowale as they’ll attempt to become the first team to win it all twice. As a recent WNBA Champion, Burton will have that champion mindset in overdrive.
The other three players are making their Unrivaled debuts this season: Toronto Tempo teammates Kiki Rice and Izzy Harrison, along with Bridget Carleton. Ogunbowale pointed out the connection of Carleton being Canadian on the livestream announcing the rosters, already adding to the unseriousness part of the Unrivaled experience.
Phantom BC
Li Yueru, a member of Mist BC last season, joins Phantom BC returning players: Natasha Cloud, Tiffany Hayes, and Kelsey Plum. Hayes is coming off a WNBA Championship, ready to add Unrivaled to that list of championships. Aaliyah Edwards, from Lunar Owls BC, and Kayla McBride, part of Laces BC in the first season, make up the rest of the roster.
Rose BC
As the first Unrivaled champions, Rose BC will be ready to claim that title once again. Chelsea Gray and Lexie Hull return for their third season on Rose BC, and Shakira Austin for her second.
Brittney Sykes comes from Laces BC, along with Aziaha James from the prior season’s development pool and newcomer Kayla Thornton.
Vinyl BC
This team is basically Unrivaled’s version of the Atlanta Dream, with three top players from the same team that nearly won the 2026 WNBA Championship. Allisha Gray is joined by Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada. A. Gray comes from Mist BC, the reigning champions, and Canada comes from Laces BC.
After a close loss in the WNBA Championship, I have no doubt the Dream’s players will be out for blood. They’re joined by Flau’jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow, both of whom are making their Unrivaled debut this season. Howard was a member of Vinyl BC along with Dearica Hamby, who is also returning to the team.
The upcoming Season 3 of Unrivaled will no doubt be a great watch. Personally, I think the league does a great job in its marketing and connecting with fans. There’s plenty of content to consume outside of the games. It’s a perfect chance to watch your favorite players play basketball and enjoy their off-season away from the WNBA!
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