The 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, Unrivaled, co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, launched its debut season earlier this year with impressive success, reportedly generating over $27 million in revenue and nearly breaking even. Looking ahead to 2026, the league has ambitious plans, including expanding its 850-seat Miami arena and taking games to two additional cities. Unrivaled also unveiled a star-studded group of new players, led by Paige Bueckers.
Bueckers Shines as Unrivaled’s Newest Star
Fresh off winning the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year award with the Dallas Wings, where she averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, Bueckers is set to make waves in Unrivaled. The former UConn standout signed a three-year deal with the league before being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and is also an investor in Unrivaled. Her 10-week Unrivaled contract, averaging $222,000, will outearn her entire four-year, $78,831 WNBA rookie deal.
Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com, “Three-on-three brings a fast-paced, transition-heavy game with a lot of scheming in tight spaces, like triangle sets in five-on-five. It’s exciting, and I can’t wait to dive in.”
Joining Bueckers for Unrivaled’s 2026 season are newcomers Sabou Satally, Saniya Rivers, and Erica Wheeler, adding to a roster already featuring WNBA stars like Angel Reese, Sabrina Ionescu, and Unrivaled MVP Chelsea Gray. To accommodate the expanded 48-player roster, Unrivaled introduced two new teams, the Breeze and the Hive, bringing the total to eight. The league’s valuation recently hit $340 million, far ahead of projections.
Caitlin Clark Speculation Heats Up
Caitlin Clark’s absence from Unrivaled’s inaugural season sparked widespread discussion, especially after she reportedly turned down a $1 million offer to join. The recent announcement of the Hive BC team, with its yellow-and-black logo mirroring the colors of Clark’s alma mater, Iowa, has fueled fan theories about her potential involvement. One X post speculated, “Iowa colors on the Hive logo? Caitlin Clark to Unrivaled confirmed? ”
However, some fans are skeptical, citing Unrivaled’s reportedly high injury rates and Clark’s injury-plagued 2025 WNBA season, where she played only 13 games. “Why risk another injury in a physical 3-on-3 setting?” one fan questioned. Another added, “Unrivaled’s just hyping her name again, like when they teased her with the number 22.”
Unrivaled commissioner Micky Lawler addressed the speculation in a January SportsPro interview, saying, “The door is always open for Caitlin, but this league isn’t about one player. We have incredibly talented athletes, and we’re building something compelling.” Alex Bazzell, Unrivaled’s president and Collier’s husband, echoed this, noting ongoing talks with top players like Clark and A’ja Wilson but emphasizing that the league isn’t actively chasing anyone. “Our rosters are strong, but the top players know we have a spot for them,” he said.
Clark’s potential participation could provide valuable court time before the 2026 WNBA season, but whether she’ll join remains uncertain, keeping fans on edge.