With Unrivaled’s new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league adding Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston as its 30th player on Thursday, the league announced plans to increase its total number of players at 36.
Following a report “Messi-style” offer For Fever star Caitlin Clark, the expansion gives the league more time and space to attract the former Hawkeye legend.
“We’re able to do this because we exceeded our financial projections, and now we can do something we wanted to do in the future, which is give more people spots in Unrivaled,” league co-founder and current Minnesota Lynx. forward Napheesa Collier, said in a video on social networks.
Collier and New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart developed the league to provide an alternative income option for players who might otherwise compete overseas during the WNBA offseason. This eight-week season will begin in January 2025 and take place during the height of the WNBA offseason. Unrivaled has also promised players who join stock options in the league.
Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Other WNBA players joining Unrivaled include Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd and Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale. Additionally, Las Vegas Aces guard Kate Martin and Indiana Fever guard Lexi Hull recently committed to the league, both former teammates with the Hawkeyes.
Regarding the prospects of adding Clark, Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell told Sportico that the league is not enforcing a “full court press,” but rather giving him an opportunity to relax from basketball.
“We will always have a place for Caitlin Clark,” Bazzell said. “We don’t run a full-court press like people think. We let her decompress from basketball. … She knows we have a place for her when she’s ready.
While there hasn’t been much hustle and bustle on Clark’s end, Unrivaled is hoping the six extra spots and reported offer will be enough to earn his commitment.
Contact us/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.
Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
