rewrite this content and keep HTML tags (remove this from content : rewrite this content and keep HTML tags)
The inaugural season of the three-on-three Unrivaled women’s basketball league was a wild success. Fans tuned in, some of the game’s biggest stars played, and they appeared to be set for a stellar second season. And while there has been some exciting news about who will participate this year, there are also surprises.
Angel Reese won DPOY during the first Unrivaled season. Her team, Rose BC, was also the eventual champions. The Chicago Sky star had a less-than-ideal WNBA season, but she won’t be revisiting her Unrivaled success. The roster for the 2026 iteration has been announced, and Reese does not appear to be participating.
MORE: WNBA star DiJonai Carrington gives Angel Reese her flowers while discussing future of league
With Unrivaled filling their final three roster spots on Thursday, both Reese and Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu are set to be absent for the second season. Unrivaled will have Paige Bueckers playing, though. Stars like Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and Sonia Citron will also participate.
News of Reese’s absence immediately went viral on social media. Not only will the league not have Ionescu or Reese, but they failed to land Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson as well. So far, that isn’t an ideal situation for Unrivaled as they try to build on their early success.
The hope will be that Reese uses her offseason to get in the lab instead. Dominating in the W will take her to the next level, and that is surely her plan. How it pans out for Reese remains to be seen, but her absence will be deeply felt by fans of the Unrivaled league.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
MLB: Blue Jays’ Trey Yesavage does something no pitcher has done in 121 World Series
NFL: Detroit Lions superstar Aidan Hutchinson earns massive contract extension
NCAAF: Best college football uniform combinations in Week 10 of 2025 season
NBA: Hornets’ 2025-26 City Edition jersey potentially leaked, leaving fans horrified
SPORTS MEDIA: New ‘NBA: The Run’ 3v3 game set to bring back NBA Jam vibes
VIRAL: Packers’ Romeo Doubs’ ‘leather’ Guardian Cap is talk of NFL social media
