Alysha Clark gets chance to play close to home by joining Athletes Unlimited

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Alysha Clark eagerly accepted the opportunity to play close to her Tennessee home. After spending many offseasons playing overseas, the Tennessee native decided to join Athletes Unlimited this winter.

The organization is set to hold its fourth season in Nashville from Feb. 5-March 2.

“It’s really thrilling as I haven’t had the chance to play at home since college,” Clark, a former Middle Tennessee State player, shared in a phone interview with The AP. “Returning to where it all began at this stage of my career is truly exciting.”

The professional league previously held its games in Las Vegas during its inaugural season and then in Dallas for the next two years.

Clark was also looking forward to giving back to the local community.

“The work that AU does with its players off the court is something that excites me,” she stated. “It gives me an opportunity to make a positive impact on my hometown community.”

The 37-year-old forward, who has secured three WNBA titles including one with Las Vegas in 2023, expressed her joy at the increased opportunities for players to compete domestically through organizations like Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league starting on Jan. 17 in Miami.

“The growth and opportunities provided by AU are remarkable,” she remarked. “Being a part of this experience speaks volumes about the advancement of women’s basketball and sports in general.”

Clark, who grew up just 30 minutes from Nashville before relocating there as a teenager, is among the players with strong Tennessee connections set to compete in AU this season. Chicago’s Isabelle Harrison, who hails from Nashville, is one of the three former Tennessee Lady Vols in the league alongside Jordan Horston and Meighan Simmons.

Other prominent WNBA players participating in the league include Kia Nurse, Maddie Siegrist, Kiersten Bell, Sydney Colson, and Lexie Brown. The roster currently includes 15 out of the 40 players, with the remaining set to be announced at a later date.

AU Pro Basketball features a five-on-five format with players earning points based on team wins and individual performances. Teams are reshuffled weekly, with the top four players acting as captains and drafting new rosters. The player with the highest points at the end of the season is crowned the individual champion. Past winners include Tianna Hawkins, NaLyssa Smith, and Allisha Gray.

Brown, who has been with the league since its inception, was excited about the opportunity to play in Nashville. She recently attended an event in the city.

“There is a deep appreciation for women’s basketball here. I met a couple who have a WNBA watch group that gathers to watch games in the city,” Brown shared. “It’s remarkable. The South has a love for basketball. While people often associate the South with football, there are plenty of basketball enthusiasts who would love to have a WNBA team closer by, in a city accessible from various locations.”

The nearest WNBA team to Nashville is in Atlanta.