Angel Reese is formally becoming a member of Unmatched, a brand new three-on-three ladies’s basketball league tipping off in Miami in January. The league formally introduced the rookie sensation’s participation on Wednesday morning on X, including one other identify to the rising checklist of basketball stars dedicated to staying within the US throughout the WNBA offseason.
What’s Unmatched?
Unmatched, co-founded by the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, will probably be composed of six groups made up of the most important names of the WNBA. It additionally guarantees to supply the highest common wage in ladies’s professional sports activities — with a league minimal of $100,000.
The league has an extended checklist of high-profile traders, together with Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Carmello Anthony, and Steve Nash. Now, somewhat than going abroad throughout the WNBA offseason, gamers have the chance to remain stateside and play a type of basketball that’s much less taxing on their physique than full-court five-on-five.
Every staff may have 5 gamers — three on the court docket, two on the bench — and compete for eight weeks. The highest 4 groups within the league throughout the common season will probably be featured within the playoffs. There’s additionally a on-on-one element to the league, although particulars haven’t but been specified.
One distinctive facet about Unmatched is that it is going to be player-owned.
”It’s constructed for us to have a league of our personal the place, particularly these first 30 gamers, are all going to have a bit of fairness on this league,” Breanna Stewart stated to Advanced. “Simply notice that it’ll go so far as we take it, and I’m actually excited for what’s to return.”
Why Angel Reese?
Angel Reese has had an exceptional rookie season up to now, racking up a league-record 15 consecutive double-doubles and being named to the All-Star staff. After being drafted seventh total, Reese has averaged 13.5 factors and 12 rebounds for the Chicago Sky this season.
She’s additionally essentially the most adopted WNBA participant on social media — Reese has 3.8 million followers, and her participation within the league will undeniably convey extra eyes and sponsorships.
Who else is taking part?
Thirty of the video games largest stars are slated to take part, 10 of whom have been introduced:
- Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
- Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
- Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
- Chelsea Grey, Las Vegas Aces
- Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm
- Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
- Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
- Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury
- Jackie Younger, Las Vegas Aces
- Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
