As women’s sports continue to skyrocket, women’s basketball kicked the new year off with the Unrivaled League. Leaving society wanting more, Unrivaled, the women’s 3v3 pro basketball league debuted on Friday, January 17th. Founded by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and two-time MVP Breanna Stewart from the New York Liberty, six teams within the league play for about two months before the Championship game on March 17th. The format of traditional basketball differs from the number of players on the court. This league enhances physicality, a fast-paced game, and a walking highlight reel every game. However, these stars have smoothly transitioned into the extra fast, physical, and tedious nature of 3-on-3 basketball. Many incredible women, such as Arike Ogunbowale, Cameron Brink, and Skylar Diggins, have checked into the Unrivaled League back like never before.
All teams came out hungry and ready to battle; Collier’s squad, Lunar Owls, defeated Stewart’s Mist after leaving the crowd on the edge of their seat by sealing the game with two threes by no one other than Skylar Diggins-Smith. Another great game was Arike’s Vinyl big win over Angel Reese’s team, Rose.
The game of women’s basketball has come a long way, with so much support and growth within its audience. Here are a couple of takeaways from Friday’s opening night.
Game 1: Lunar Owls 84, Mist 80
The very close game proves that this league is worth the hype. The fast-paced dynamic of 3-on-3 basketball can be tiring but adds another level of excitement to the game. Various players, including Jewell Loyd and Rickea Jackson for Team Mist and Allisha Gray, Napheesa Collier, and Skylar Diggins-Smith for the Lunar Owls, opened the season strong.
Opening day couldn’t have been better, as Diggins-Smith had a big fourth quarter and hit a game-winner, leading the Lunar Owls to make a comeback. The energy remained indescribable as the electric player Diggins-Smith went off; the back-and-forth play between both teams left the crowd uncertain of the outcome.
Game 2: Vinyl 79, Rose 73
This game specifically embodied a high physicality game compared to game one; however, many individuals had a big night. For example, Rhyne Howard finished with 33 points, Kaleah Copper had 24 points, and 21 points from “Point Gawd” Chelsea Gray. Team Rose cut down a double-digit deficit, leaving it a one-possession game until team Vinyl pulled away for the win. 
It is extremely exciting to see these stars shine in a different environment. As the WNBA free agency spreads, the Unrivaled League can be proven to be highly impactful, even off the court. To name a few WNBA team executives like Dallas Wings coach Chris Koclans and assistant general manager Jazmine Thomas. Phoenix Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts and Nick U’ren, as well as the Seattle Storm assistant coach Pokey Chatman. On another note, many players have enjoyed the league’s closeness, comparable to the WNBA bubble during COVID or Team USA. Women from different teams are brought together and become teammates instead of opponents. Many have favored this experience as they can learn and even collaborate.
