Unrivaled, New 3-on-3 Women’s Basketball League, Set for Debut

MIAMI (AP) — Unrivaled is ready for its closeup.

The new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheea Collier will debut Friday night.

The Idea Takes Shape

The idea for the domestic league was first discussed a couple of years ago and now it’s come to fruition.

“I can’t even put it into words what it’s going to be like,” Stewart said. “But just the fact that there’s so much hype, there’s so much content, so much chatter about opening night and we worked really hard to get to this point both on and off the court. Excited to kind of just go in and showcase what we’ve done.”

The Roster

The league features 36 of the best players in the WNBA, including the two co-founders, whose teams will play against each other on opening night. Sensational WNBA rookie Angel Reese’s team plays in the second contest.

“I think I’ll be taking it all in during the introductions,” Collier said. “Once the ball goes up, it’s just the game.”

Gameplay

The games will be played on a court that’s about 20 feet shorter than the WNBA court. There are three seven-minute quarters and then the fourth quarter will be played to a “winning score.” That total will be determined by adding 11 points to the squad which is leading after three quarters.

The Experience

Lisa Leslie, who will be one of the analysts for the broadcast that will be shown on TNT and TruTV, was there at the beginning of the WNBA. Now, she’s here for the launch of this league.

“It’s unrivaled and unmatched for the women to have such a first-class experience in every way,” she told The Associated Press. “It’s different from my first season in the WNBA, where we shared the locker room with the Lakers, which is also an amazing experience. This is just different and it’s just time, like they have their own facilities, their own weight room and massage. This is so first class.”

Unrivaled Money

Same as WNBA games, players took part in a half-court shootout after their morning practices. Shakira Austin made the first one and earned $100 for her efforts. She went last as the youngest player on the Lunar Owls and had the advantage of knowing that the shorter court meant a closer shot.

“It’s a great start to the day,” Austin said.

While the half-court money is the same, players are making a lot more as the league boasts the highest average salary for a professional women’s league.

Conclusion

The Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league is set to make its debut, featuring 36 of the best players in the WNBA, including co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. With a unique playing format and high-quality facilities, this league promises to be an exciting and unmatched experience for players and fans alike.

FAQs

* Q: When does the league debut?
A: The league debuts on Friday night.
* Q: How many players are featured in the league?
A: 36 of the best players in the WNBA are featured in the league.
* Q: What is the format of the games?
A: The games will be played on a court that’s about 20 feet shorter than the WNBA court, with three seven-minute quarters and a fourth quarter played to a “winning score.”
* Q: How much money do players earn from half-court shootouts?
A: Players earn $100 for winning a half-court shootout, just like in the WNBA.