NFL
Numerous WNBA stars have already committed to return for the second season, including Collier, Stewart, three-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner, and Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas.
Newcomers this season include the WNBA’s 2025 Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champ Kelsey Plum, and Washington Mystics standout rookie Sonia Citron. The first couple of games being hosted in Philadelphia, which will house its new team by 2030, are expected to be a thriller! Here are some names to get familiar with in this upcoming season!
Rae Burrell
Rae Burrell’s journey in the WNBA has been defined by consistent improvement. Drafted ninth overall in 2022 by the Los Angeles Sparks, she entered the league as a versatile guard-forward with raw athleticism. Over the past three seasons, she’s sharpened her scoring efficiency, expanded her defensive versatility, and proven she can contribute in multiple roles.
- Year-over-year growth: Burrell’s scoring average has climbed from 5.6 points as a rookie to 7.5 points in 2025, while her shooting percentages have improved across the board.
- Expanded role: She’s gone from a rotational piece to a reliable contributor, logging 20+ minutes in key games and posting breakout performances like her 20-point outing against Phoenix in September.
- Defensive presence: Her length and agility allow her to guard multiple positions, making her a valuable asset in both traditional 5-on-5 and the faster-paced 3-on-3 format.
Why the Unrivaled 3-on-3 Format Fits Burrell
The Unrivaled league, founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, emphasizes pace, spacing, and versatility. For Burrell, this format magnifies her strengths:
- Court spacing: With fewer players on the floor, her ability to attack off the dribble and spot up from deep becomes more impactful.
- Rebounding opportunities: In 3-on-3, every possession is magnified. Burrell’s knack for crashing the boards gives her team extra chances.
- Defensive switching: Her ability to guard guards and forwards seamlessly makes her a natural fit in a format that demands adaptability.
Teammates Who Elevate Her Game
Burrell’s Unrivaled squad is stacked with complementary talent:
- Courtney Williams: A veteran guard with elite midrange scoring and playmaking, she draws defensive attention and opens lanes for Burrell.
- Dearica Hamby: A rebounding machine and interior scorer, Hamby’s presence ensures Burrell can focus on perimeter scoring and transition defense.
- Rhyne Howard: One of the league’s most dynamic young scorers, Howard’s offensive gravity creates spacing that Burrell thrives in. Burrell can also learn from Howard’s game due to the similar and unique body type that they share.
Together, this group blends veteran savvy with youthful explosiveness, giving Burrell the perfect environment to elevate her game.
Noelle Quinn and the Breeze BC
Noelle Quinn’s move from the WNBA sidelines to Unrivaled’s 3‑on‑3 stage is a major storyline heading into the 2026 season. After five years with the Seattle Storm, Quinn was tapped to lead Breeze BC, one of two expansion teams added to Unrivaled’s growing roster of clubs. Her reputation for player development and tactical flexibility makes her an ideal fit for a team built around youth and upside.
Why Breeze BC Stands Out
- Youngest roster: Breeze BC features several rookies and second‑year players, making them one of the least experienced but most energetic squads in the league.
- Development focus: Quinn’s coaching style emphasizes growth and adaptability, perfect for a roster still finding its identity.
- Chemistry building: With fewer veterans, Breeze BC relies heavily on Quinn’s ability to foster cohesion quickly in the 3‑on‑3 format.
Key Components of the Team
- Paige Bueckers: The 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year headlines the roster, bringing elite scoring and playmaking to the Breeze.
- Rickea Jackson: Has always been known for her ability to score at all three levels. In the WNBA, she showed flashes of being a reliable wing who could stretch the floor, attack off the dribble, and rebound aggressively. In the Unrivaled 3‑on‑3 format, those skills become even more valuable because spacing, quick decision-making, and versatility are magnified.
- Cameron Brink: A defensive anchor and rebounder, Brink adds size and rim protection in a format where every possession matters.
- Dominique Malonga: One of the most intriguing international prospects, Malonga’s athleticism and versatility fit perfectly in 3‑on‑3 play.
Quinn’s Coaching Impact
Quinn’s experience in the WNBA—where she managed rotations, developed young talent, and guided stars—translates well to Unrivaled. In 3‑on‑3, the pace is faster, possessions are shorter, and adaptability is key. Her ability to maximize mismatches and empower young players to take on bigger roles could make Breeze BC one of the most exciting teams to watch!
Nola Rose: Reigning Coach, New Challenges
Nola Rose enters Season 2 of Unrivaled with the weight of expectation. Her Rose BC squad captured the inaugural title, built on defensive dominance and balanced scoring. But the offseason reshuffle and internal draft have forced her into a roster reconstruction that tests her adaptability as a coach.
Why the Rebuild is Difficult
- Loss of Angel Reese: The Defensive Player of the Year was a cornerstone of Rose BC’s championship run. Without her rebounding and interior presence, the team must reinvent its defensive identity.
- Chemistry disruption: Rose BC thrived on continuity last season. With new faces joining and veterans departing, Rose must rebuild trust and rhythm in a fast-paced 3‑on‑3 format.
- Expansion pressure: With two new clubs (Breeze and Hive) entering the league, the overall talent pool has been redistributed, making it harder to maintain dominance.
Key Components of the New Rose BC
- Chelsea Gray: Veteran guard whose leadership and clutch playmaking will be critical in stabilizing the roster. She was the anchor of the championship last year!
- Kahleah Copper: Dynamic scorer who reunites with Gray, giving Rose BC a proven offensive duo.
- Azurá Stevens: Provides size and versatility, helping to offset the loss of Reese in the paint.
- Lexie Hull: A perimeter defender and shooter who adds balance to the rotation.
Coaching Impact
Rose’s strength lies in her ability to maximize player roles. She’s known for empowering wings and guards to thrive in space, while building defensive schemes that emphasize switching and rebounding. With a younger, less experienced roster, her challenge will be to accelerate development while maintaining the championship standard.
Closing Remarks
Rae Burrell’s steady rise in the WNBA and her transition into Unrivaled’s 3‑on‑3 format show how consistency and adaptability can redefine a player’s ceiling. Surrounded by teammates who amplify her strengths, she embodies the idea that growth is not just about numbers—it’s about seizing new opportunities in evolving formats.
Noelle Quinn, meanwhile, represents the coaching backbone of this new era. Tasked with guiding one of the youngest rosters in Breeze BC, she brings a blend of tactical sharpness and developmental focus that ensures her team isn’t just competing, but building a foundation for sustained success. Her ability to mold raw talent into cohesive units will be one of the defining storylines of Unrivaled’s second season.
And then there’s Nola Henry, whose challenge as a reigning coach is perhaps the toughest of all—reconstructing a roster while maintaining championship standards. Her leadership is being tested in real time, but it’s precisely these moments that separate good coaches from great ones. Henry’s ability to balance chemistry, identity, and expectation will determine whether Rose BC can remain at the top.
Together, Burrell, Quinn, and Henry highlight the essence of Unrivaled: a league where growth, adaptability, and resilience matter as much as raw talent. They remind us that success in this format isn’t just about who scores the most—it’s about who evolves the fastest. For bettors, fans, and analysts alike, these three figures are the ones to watch as Unrivaled continues to carve out its place in the basketball landscape.
