Unrivaled Basketball’s Iconic Debut: Who Set the Stage on Night One?
Today, Friday, January 17th, 2025, Unrivaled Basketball opened its doors to the public for the very first time. The brand new three-by-three league, founded two years ago by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, made its highly anticipated debut. In late November, the league released its initial roster, featuring 34 other WNBA superstars, such as 2024 WNBA Champion Sabrina Ionescu and 2024 WNBA all-star Angel Reese. Unrivaled Basketball offers women’s basketball players an alternative to traveling overseas for competition during the WNBA offseason. Last year, women’s basketball made remarkable strides at both the collegiate and professional levels. With players receiving the highest salaries in any professional women’s sports league, state-of-the-art facilities, equity stakes in the league, and much more, Unrivaled Basketball's early 2025 debut is paving the way for another remarkable year of women’s basketball.
The Rundown
The Mist and the Lunar Owls tipped off the night. Breanna Stewart, DiJonai Carrington, Courtney Vandersloot, the “Gold Mamba” Jewell Loyd, Aaliyah Edwards, and Rickea Jackson represented the Mist Basketball Club. The Lunar Owls were represented by Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Shakira Austin, and Cameron Brink, who did not participate due to an injury sustained during the WNBA season. The Mist were guided by head coach Phil Handy, who previously served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, the Lunar Owls were under the leadership of head coach and renowned basketball trainer DJ Sackmann.
Following the first matchup, the Rose Basketball Club and the Vinyl Basketball Club took the court. The Rose Basketball Club consists of Angel Reese, Brittney Sykes, 2024 Olympic Gold Medalists Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper, Azurá Stevens, and Lexie Hull. Members of the Vinyl Basketball Club include 2024 WNBA all-star MVP Arike Ogunbowale, Rae Burrell, Rhyne Howard, 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, Jordin Canada, and 2024 WNBA all-star Dearica Hamby. The Rose Basketball Club is led by head coach Nola Henry, who was recently appointed as an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings. The Vinyl Basketball Club is under the guidance of former Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon.
The First Clash
Napheesa Collier, Allisha Gray, and Skylar Diggins-Smith opened the game for the Lunar Owls. On the Mist's side, the starting lineup was Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot, and Jewell Loyd. The Mist secured the tip-off, with Stewart scoring the first field goal from the left side. Diggins answered with a layup for the Lunar Owls. After some back-and-forth, Gray's fouls drew crucial free throws, pushing the score to 6-2. Jackson and Edwards entered the game, contributing key points for the Owls. Loyd and Collier kept the game competitive, with Edwards and Williams adding mid-range shots. Carrington made her presence known with early points and a block, while the first quarter ended dramatically with a three-pointer from the Lunar Owls.
Courtney Vandersloot began the second quarter with a reverse layup, adding another two points and a three-pointer for the Mist. Collier and Diggins-Smith contributed key points for the Owls. Loyd continued to score with free throws and a three-pointer, while Gray and Edwards added crucial baskets, bringing the score to 30-34. Collier kept the Owls competitive, with Williams assisting and scoring. A significant block by Loyd on Diggins-Smith led to a layup by Jackson. The Mist led 44-46 at halftime.
Diggins-Smith started the third quarter strong, scoring a basket and a three-pointer while also blocking Vandersloot's shot. Loyd added to the Mist's score, but Williams and Gray blocked her shot attempts. Stewart scored for the Mist, followed by Collier's two-pointer and three-pointer. Vandersloot and Collier both added points through free throws and field goals. Austin scored over Stewart, and Carrington got a layup after a block. Jackson scored multiple times, including a three-pointer. Gray capitalized on a turnover, ending the quarter with the Mist leading 67-73. The first team to reach 84 points would win the game.
Loyd started the fourth quarter with a three-pointer, followed by Collier's two-pointer. Jackson and Gray exchanged layups, with Collier stealing the ball from Loyd, allowing Diggins-Smith to score. A foul on Diggins-Smith against Jackson was challenged but upheld. Gray scored another layup, and Diggins-Smith put the Lunar Owls ahead. Diggins-Smith then hit a three-pointer, securing the first win in Unrivaled Basketball history. The final score was 84-80.
The Second Surge
The Vinyl's starting lineup featured Arike Ogunbowale, Rhyne Howard, and Dearica Hamby, while the Rose started with Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Angel Reese. Reese scored the first points, followed by a free throw after drawing a foul on Hamby. The game saw an even score after Copper's three-pointer and notable plays from both teams, including blocks by Azurá Stevens and points from Gray, Jordin Canada, and Aliyah Boston. Reese continued her strong performance with a deep two and a free throw to close the first quarter, leaving the score tightly contested.
In the second quarter, a steal by Vinyl led to a three-pointer from Rae Burrell, followed by Brittney Sykes scoring two points. Burrell made a free throw, and Gray hit a three from the top of the key. Boston powered into the paint for two, while Copper responded with a tough layup. Gray added two more points, and Copper scored four from free throws, then knocked down a three and a two, finishing the quarter strong for Rose. Ogunbowale contributed a two-pointer, and Reese assisted Sykes for two more points. Howard nailed a three right before halftime, putting Vinyl in the lead.
At the beginning of the third quarter, Howard broke the tie with a two-pointer and followed with two more three-pointers, putting the Vinyl ahead by nine. Copper and Hamby both scored, and Gray added another two points. Howard nailed another three, and Ogunbowale scored a two-pointer. Hamby scored again, drawing a foul. Sykes made a layup, and Burrell scored after a block. Hull hit her first three-pointer, with the Vinyl going up by two and the Rose by four before a timeout. Copper scored two more points, and after a challenge, the Vinyl regained possession. Canada and Sykes both scored, with Sykes beating the shot clock from half-court. By the end of the quarter, the winning score was set at 78, with the Rose at 58 and the Vinyl at 67.
Cooper reached her 20th point to start the fourth quarter, and Gray powered the ball into the basket. Reese challenged a block on Howard, but the call stood. Gray scored two points followed by multiple free throws. Copper made a mid-range shot, and Ogunbowale responded with a two-pointer, bringing Vinyl's score to 73. Gray stole the ball and landed a three-pointer, while Stevens added two points, helping Rose cut the lead. Howard made a free throw, putting Vinyl three points away from the win. Gray scored two more points, and Howard added two in the paint. Ogunbowale then delivered a flashy pass to Hamby for the winning shot down low. Vinyl emerged victorious with a final score of 79-73.
Analysis
Jewell Loyd scored 34 points and Rickea Jackson added 15 for the Mist. Breanna Stewart led the team in rebounds with 14. The Mist shot 80% from the free throw line and committed 10 turnovers, three more than the Lunar Owls. Nearly every player for the Owls reached double digits in points. Napheesa Collier recorded a double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds, the highest rebound count for the team. Skylar Diggins-Smith was the second-highest scorer for the Owls with 21 points. The Owls shot 58.1% from the field and 35% from three-point range.
Kahleah Copper and Chelsea Gray led the scoring for Rose, combining for 45 points. Angel Reese achieved a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. For Vinyl, Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby were the top scorers, with Howard netting 33 points and Hamby securing a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. The Rose excelled in free throw efficiency, shooting 87.5% compared to Vinyl's 77.8%, and were also more efficient in three-pointers. However, Vinyl outperformed in field goal percentage, shooting 7.7% better.
What Comes Next?
That’s a wrap for the debut of Unrivaled Basketball! The Lunar Owls and another team walked away with victories. Tomorrow, the Lunar Owls and the Rose Basketball Club will face off against each other. The Vinyl will compete against the Phantoms on Monday, while the Mist will take on the Laces. Circling back around to tomorrow, the Laces and the Phantoms will be making their debut, alongside the Owls facing off against Rose. Kate Martin, representing the Golden State Valkyries, will join the Laces on the court to compete against Sabrina Ionescu and the Phantoms. This is a matchup that you don’t want to miss!
