Unrivaled has finally formed its teams.
The league has divided players into six groups of wingers, guards and forwards. The six coaches then put the names on a board and selected the teams, the main idea being that the teams would be as equal as possible. The problem was, none of the coaches knew what team they would coach until the teams for the 3v3 league were put together.
Co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier are on different teams. Stewart’s team includes former Seattle Storm teammate Jewell Loyd as well as current New York Liberty Courtney Vandersloot. Dijonai Carrington, Rickea Jackson and Aaliyah Edwards round out Team Mist.
Collier’s Lunar Owls team includes Skylar Diggins-Smith, Natasha Cloud, Allisha Gray, Shakira Austin and one of two wild card spots. The league has only announced 34 of the team’s 36 players, allowing for the signing of two additional players. Unrivaled is in talks with WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark.
The other team with a wild card is Phantom. Jackie Young, Marina Mabrey, Tiffany Hayes, Satou Sabally and Brittney Griner are the other five members of this team.
Team Vinyl is made up of Arike Ogunbowale, Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, Rae Burrell, Dearica Hamby and Aliyah Boston. Team Rose includes Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Brittney Sykes, Lexie Hull, Angel Reese and Azura Stevens.
The Laces team includes Kelsey Plum, Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Kate Martin, Alyssa Thomas and Stefanie Dolson.
The matches will begin on January 17 and will be played in Miami. The total payroll for the 36 players is more than $8 million, with players receiving league equity.
The league recently announced a multi-year partnership with TNT and its sports platforms to broadcast more than 45 games. The games will be broadcast three nights a week, with games twice a week on TNT on Mondays and Fridays. Saturday’s games will be broadcast on truTV.
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