Sabrina Ionescu and WNBA Stars Skip Unrivaled Offseason Return
Several prominent WNBA stars, including Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, and Brittney Griner, will not participate in the upcoming season of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 basketball league. This announcement was made on Thursday as the league prepares for its second season.
Unrivaled Expansion and New Roster Updates
Unrivaled, co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, will expand to eight clubs this season, adding 12 new roster spots. Among the newly announced players are Dominique Malonga, Rebecca Allen, and Aari McDonald. Malonga’s inclusion follows a recent controversy involving her contract termination with Fenerbahce, a professional team based in Turkey.
Contract Termination Controversy
Fenerbahce has stated that Malonga “unilaterally terminated her professional player contract without any just cause.” Following this, the club indicated potential legal actions to seek compensation. Despite these issues, ESPN noted that Malonga would be eligible to play in Unrivaled, although her status for the 2026 WNBA season remains uncertain pending clearance from the Turkish federation.
Returning Players and Coaching Staff
Only two players from the 2025 Liberty, Stewart and Natasha Cloud, will return for the upcoming season of Unrivaled. Meanwhile, Nyara Sabally plans to rehabilitate in Miami alongside her sister, Satou, who is set to participate in Unrivaled.
- Unrivaled Season Start: January 5
- New Players Added:
- Dominique Malonga
- Rebecca Allen
- Aari McDonald
- Coaches Involved:
- Andrew Wade (Director of Player Development)
- Zach O’Brien (Assistant Coach, making his Unrivaled debut)
As the basketball community prepares for the January 5 kickoff, the absence of Ionescu, Reese, and Griner is felt deeply among fans and analysts alike. Their decision to skip this season raises questions regarding the evolving dynamics of women’s professional sports and the uncertain future of several players in the league.
