Unrivaled team rankings: way-too-early projections

Unrivaled team rankings: way-too-early projections

We’re less than a month away from Unrivaled’s tip-off in Miami, and it’s time to take a look at how the league’s six clubs stack up.

Unrivaled, the full-court, 3-on-3 basketball league co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart last year, begins its second season on Jan. 5. The league features 22 new WNBA players, as well as 26 returners from Year 1. Several top performers from the inaugural season, like Angel Reese, Kayla McBride, and Sabrina Ionescu, won’t be suiting up this year.

Last year, the Rose Club won the championship, led by Chelsea Gra and Kahleah Copper. During the regular season, the Lunar Owls — led by Napheesa Collier and Skylar Diggins — were the league’s best team.

It’s way too early, and it’s almost impossible to know each of the newly assembled clubs will mesh, but here’s my prediction for how the eight clubs will fare.

Projected Unrivaled club rankings

  1. Chelsea Gray
  2. Kahleah Copper
  3. Azurá Stevens
  4. Lexie Hull
  5. Shakira Austin
  6. Sug Sutton

Chelsea Gray is fresh off a title run with the Las Vegas Aces, and was one of the Unrivaled’s best players last season. Azurá Stevens and Shakira Austin both had their best seasons yet. And, Kahleah Copper missed most of the previous Unrivaled season, but was an elite scorer when available. Albeit not exactly last year’s squad (Angel Reese is a big loss), the Rose Club won it all last year, and begin this season as my favorite to do it again.

  1. Napheesa Collier
  2. Skylar Diggins
  3. Marina Mabrey
  4. Aaliyah Edwards
  5. Rachel Banham
  6. Rebecca Allen

The Lunar Owls were the best team in the league last season, and Napheesa Collier is almost definitely the best player in Unrivaled. Last year, she averaged a league-best 25.7 points alongside 10.6 rebounds, and the Owls went 13-1 during the regular season. Skylar Diggins also established herself as one of the Unrivaled’s best guards last season, averaging 17.9 points and 4.8 assists per game. And, Aaliyah Edwards surged last year in Unrivaled, finishing as the runner-up in the league’s 1-on-1 tournament. Marina Mabrey missed most of the season with a calf strain, but should be due for a bounce-back year.

  1. Jackie Young
  2. Brittney Sykes
  3. Alyssa Thomas
  4. Jordin Canada
  5. Maddy Siegrist
  6. Naz Hillmon

The Laces have some of the best individual defenders in the game in Jackie Young, Brittney Sykes, Alyssa Thomas, and Jordin Canada. Naz Hillmon was instrumental as a reserve player in the Rose’s title run, and Maddy Siegrist could provide great floor spacing. This fall, Young continued to establish herself as one of the best two-way players in the league en route to the Aces’ third WNBA championship in four seasons. This team could struggle with shooting, so Siegrist’s ability to knock down the open three will be critical.

  1. Kelsey Plum
  2. Satou Sabally
  3. Aliyah Boston
  4. Dana Evans
  5. Natasha Cloud
  6. Kiki Iriafen

Kelsey Plum didn’t play in Unrivaled last year, but as an elite three-level scorer, her game should translate well. This team is well-rounded; Aliyah Boston and Kiki Iriafen are two of the best young bigs in the league, while Natasha Cloud should be a good backcourt mate for Plum, as well as someone who can handle tough defensive assignments.

  1. Paige Bueckers
  2. Rickea Jackson
  3. Dominique Malonga
  4. Aari McDonald
  5. Kate Martin
  6. Cameron Brink

The Breeze is one of the youngest clubs in the league, and that should suit them well when playing this fast-paced game. Aari McDonald is their only player not drafted in the last two seasons, but several players should be on the cusp of breakout seasons. Dominique Malonga’s game should translate well here, and Paige Bueckers seems like an ideal 3-on-3 player. Cameron Brink has substantial 3-on-3 experience, albeit in the halfcourt, but should nonetheless bring defensive versatility.

  1. Kelsey Mitchell
  2. Sonia Citron
  3. Ezi Magbegor
  4. Natisha Hiedeman
  5. Saniya Rivers
  6. Monique Billings

Kelsey Mitchell is coming off the best season of her career, and like Kelsey Plum, is someone whose game should immediately adjust to Unrivaled. Her and Sonia Citron should form an elite backcourt that can push the pace and shoot the ball well. Natisha Hiedeman wasn’t officially on an Unrivaled club, but bounced around the league as an injury replacement player and is always good for a burst of scoring.

  1. Allisha Gray
  2. Breanna Stewart
  3. Alanna Smith
  4. Veronica Burton
  5. Arike Ogunbowale
  6. Li Yueru

It’s difficult to rank the Mist so low considering all the talent on this squad; Allisha Gray is fresh off a First Team All-WNBA season, Breanna Stewart had another big year for the New York Liberty, Alanna Smith was co-Defensive Player of the Year, and Veronica Burton surged onto the scene as an elite point guard for the golden State Valkyries (and the WNBA’s Most Improved Player). But spacing could be a problem for this Mist team, particularly if Stewart’s shooting struggles continue (she shot 24.1% from downtown last year on the Liberty).

  1. Courtney Williams
  2. Rhyne Howard
  3. Dearica Hamby
  4. Erica Wheeler
  5. Rae Burrell
  6. Brittney Griner

Full disclaimer: It’s almost impossible to rank any team last with so many talented players on each roster. But, I’m going with the Vinyl because I do think this team heavily relies on a handful of players (Rhyne Howard, Dearica Hamby).

Predicting how these new combinations of players will fare so far in advance is kind of a crapshoot, but these are my best guesses. It’s also worth noting that availability/health status will be key; last year, several key players missed most, if not all, of the season. Who can stay out there remains to be seen. I wouldn’t be shocked if rankings ended up being completely backwards; after all, the league’s goal was to create teams that were as evenly-matched as possible. But here’s where I’m at after a first glance.

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli became the first batter to score 9000 runs in the Indian Premier League during an IPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals on Monday.

Kohli, playing his 275th IPL game, achieved the feat in last ball of the sixth over with a single to long off against DC skipper Axar Patel.

The Indian batter has eight hundreds and six fifties in the tournament.

Only one other batter has scored more than 7000 IPL runs – Mumbai Indians opener Rohit Sharma.

  • 9000 runs – Virat Kohli*
  • 7183 runs – Rohit Sharma*
  • 6769 runs – Shikhar Dhawan
  • 6565 runs – David Warner
  • 5579 runs – KL Rahul

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHZKfnILQsI[/embed]

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#Virat #Kohli #crosses #IPL #runs #RCB #IPL #match">Virat Kohli crosses 9000 IPL runs during DC vs RCB IPL 2026 match  Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli became the first batter to score 9000 runs in the Indian Premier League during an IPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals on Monday.Kohli, playing his 275th IPL game, achieved the feat in last ball of the sixth over with a single to long off against DC skipper Axar Patel.The Indian batter has eight hundreds and six fifties in the tournament.Only one other batter has scored more than 7000 IPL runs – Mumbai Indians opener Rohit Sharma.
                                                        9000 runs – Virat Kohli*                    
                                                        7183 runs – Rohit Sharma*                    
                                                        6769 runs – Shikhar Dhawan                    
                                                        6565 runs – David Warner                    
                                                        5579       runs – KL Rahul                    [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHZKfnILQsI[/embed]Published on Apr 27, 2026  #Virat #Kohli #crosses #IPL #runs #RCB #IPL #match

Deadspin | 5-star Finnish forward pushes Arkansas class to No. 1  Jan 3, 2025; Gilbert, AZ, USA; Arizona Compass Prep forward Miikka Muurinen (1) against CIA Bella Vista (AZ) during the Hoophall West High School Invitational at Highland High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Five-star Finnish 7-footer Miika Muurinen committed to Arkansas and elevated John Calipari’s 2026 recruiting class to No. 1 in the country, according to ESPN.  Muurinen, 19, who played at multiple U.S. high schools, took an official visit to Arkansas in 2024 before signing to play professionally in Serbia at Partizan Belgrade.  “Since my visit a year and a half ago, they’ve been consistent and committed to recruiting me,” Muurinen told ESPN on Monday. “They’ve always shown interest. They’ve been very consistent, and they’ve gotten to know me as a person. That’s been very important to me.  “When I left my Arkansas visit, I was not only excited about the program but also about the people, and I said to myself, those are the type of people I want to be around on a daily basis.”  Muurinen gives the Razorbacks four potential five-star prospects in the 2026 class along with guard Jordan Smith Jr., forward JaShawn Andrews and wing Abdou Toure.   “Miikka is very excited to play for Arkansas. He already knows the other three freshmen well and can’t wait to play with them,” said Muurinen’s agent, Teddy Archer of TAA Sports. “He wants to be held to a high standard, held accountable, taught pro habits, and, most of all, win a championship.”  Muurinen, who has represented Finland’s senior national team 15 times, said his relationship with Calipari clinched his commitment.  “The thing about Coach Calipari that stood out was that he kept it real with me,” Muurinen told ESPN. “He has had so much success with so many one-and-done players, and I really like his coaching style both on and off the court. He’ll push me hard on the court, and he won’t give up on me off the court. Cal is a funny guy off the court; he keeps it light.”  Muurinen played at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kan., in 2023-24 and at AZ Compass Prep in Chandler, Ariz., in 2024-25.    –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #5star #Finnish #pushes #Arkansas #classJan 3, 2025; Gilbert, AZ, USA; Arizona Compass Prep forward Miikka Muurinen (1) against CIA Bella Vista (AZ) during the Hoophall West High School Invitational at Highland High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Five-star Finnish 7-footer Miika Muurinen committed to Arkansas and elevated John Calipari’s 2026 recruiting class to No. 1 in the country, according to ESPN.

Muurinen, 19, who played at multiple U.S. high schools, took an official visit to Arkansas in 2024 before signing to play professionally in Serbia at Partizan Belgrade.

“Since my visit a year and a half ago, they’ve been consistent and committed to recruiting me,” Muurinen told ESPN on Monday. “They’ve always shown interest. They’ve been very consistent, and they’ve gotten to know me as a person. That’s been very important to me.

“When I left my Arkansas visit, I was not only excited about the program but also about the people, and I said to myself, those are the type of people I want to be around on a daily basis.”


Muurinen gives the Razorbacks four potential five-star prospects in the 2026 class along with guard Jordan Smith Jr., forward JaShawn Andrews and wing Abdou Toure.

“Miikka is very excited to play for Arkansas. He already knows the other three freshmen well and can’t wait to play with them,” said Muurinen’s agent, Teddy Archer of TAA Sports. “He wants to be held to a high standard, held accountable, taught pro habits, and, most of all, win a championship.”

Muurinen, who has represented Finland’s senior national team 15 times, said his relationship with Calipari clinched his commitment.

“The thing about Coach Calipari that stood out was that he kept it real with me,” Muurinen told ESPN. “He has had so much success with so many one-and-done players, and I really like his coaching style both on and off the court. He’ll push me hard on the court, and he won’t give up on me off the court. Cal is a funny guy off the court; he keeps it light.”

Muurinen played at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kan., in 2023-24 and at AZ Compass Prep in Chandler, Ariz., in 2024-25.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #5star #Finnish #pushes #Arkansas #class">Deadspin | 5-star Finnish forward pushes Arkansas class to No. 1  Jan 3, 2025; Gilbert, AZ, USA; Arizona Compass Prep forward Miikka Muurinen (1) against CIA Bella Vista (AZ) during the Hoophall West High School Invitational at Highland High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Five-star Finnish 7-footer Miika Muurinen committed to Arkansas and elevated John Calipari’s 2026 recruiting class to No. 1 in the country, according to ESPN.  Muurinen, 19, who played at multiple U.S. high schools, took an official visit to Arkansas in 2024 before signing to play professionally in Serbia at Partizan Belgrade.  “Since my visit a year and a half ago, they’ve been consistent and committed to recruiting me,” Muurinen told ESPN on Monday. “They’ve always shown interest. They’ve been very consistent, and they’ve gotten to know me as a person. That’s been very important to me.  “When I left my Arkansas visit, I was not only excited about the program but also about the people, and I said to myself, those are the type of people I want to be around on a daily basis.”  Muurinen gives the Razorbacks four potential five-star prospects in the 2026 class along with guard Jordan Smith Jr., forward JaShawn Andrews and wing Abdou Toure.   “Miikka is very excited to play for Arkansas. He already knows the other three freshmen well and can’t wait to play with them,” said Muurinen’s agent, Teddy Archer of TAA Sports. “He wants to be held to a high standard, held accountable, taught pro habits, and, most of all, win a championship.”  Muurinen, who has represented Finland’s senior national team 15 times, said his relationship with Calipari clinched his commitment.  “The thing about Coach Calipari that stood out was that he kept it real with me,” Muurinen told ESPN. “He has had so much success with so many one-and-done players, and I really like his coaching style both on and off the court. He’ll push me hard on the court, and he won’t give up on me off the court. Cal is a funny guy off the court; he keeps it light.”  Muurinen played at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kan., in 2023-24 and at AZ Compass Prep in Chandler, Ariz., in 2024-25.    –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #5star #Finnish #pushes #Arkansas #class

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