Colette’s Commentary: Paige Bueckers goes No. 1 again as Unrivaled adds new team and talent 

Unrivaled, co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, debuted last year. The league immediately changed the game for women’s sports by introducing a new fast-paced format that brought attention and profit to the athletes. The second season will begin in January with additional players and new teams, the Breeze and the Hive. This past week, the teams for the season were announced after an internal draft.  

The draft consisted of six rounds with picks alternating between the eight teams. For the draft, the players were divided into six position-based groups: guards, wings and forwards. The number one pick was determined by a coin toss between the two expansion teams. The Breeze won the coin toss, securing the No. 1 pick.  

The first overall pick for the second time this year was Paige Bueckers, who was also picked first in the WNBA draft. The Breeze picked Bueckers after her extraordinary rookie season with the Dallas Wings. Bueckers’ accolades include winning Rookie of the Year and breaking the highest single-game rookie scoring record with 44 points. The Breeze also selected Rickea Jackson, Dominique Malonga, Aari McDonald, Kate Martin and Cameron Brink.  

The other expansion team, the Hive, received the second pick and drafted Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell was drafted to the WNBA, joining the Indiana Fever, in 2018 and has since dominated the league. Mitchell has collected a number of accolades, including a spot on the All-Rookie Team in 2018 and since then, she has been named to the All-Star team multiple times. Along with Mitchell, the Hive also drafted Sonia Citron, Ezi Magbegor, Natisha Hiedeman, Saniya Rivers and Monique Billings.  

The four teams who made the playoffs, the Rose, Lunar Owls, Vinyl and Laces, were rewarded with the opportunity to protect two players from their roster that could not be taken by the expansion teams. The non-playoff teams, the Phantom and the Mist, were able to only protect one player each. The teams who had protected players then forfeited those picks in the draft, so a team with two protected players forfeited their first-and second-round picks.  

Reigning champion Rose protected Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper. Gray led the team to win the championship and was named Finals MVP. Copper was sidelined for some of the inaugural season with a leg injury; however, she largely contributed to the team’s success once returning. The team was also able to bring back Azurá Stevens and Lexie Hull. They also added Shakira Austin and Sug Sutton. Austin was on the Lunar Owls and Sutton is joining the league for the first time.  

The Lunar Owls had a dominant inaugural season, only losing one regular-season game; for the second season they hope to bring the same level of success. The team protected co-founder Collier and Skylar Diggins. Collier dominated in the inaugural season, winning the first 1-on-1 tournament and being named the league’s first MVP. Collier also led the league by scoring 25.7 points per game. Diggins also led the team last season, being named Second Team All-Unrivaled. The team also added Marina Mabrey, Aaliyah Edwards, Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen. Mabrey was on the Phantom last season, and Edwards was on the Mist last season. Banham and Allen are joining Unrivaled for the first time. Edwards had an historic inaugural season, reaching the final in the 1-on-1 tournament, defeating top players such as league co-founder Stewart.  

Team Vinyl protected Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby. Courtney Williams, Rhyne, Erica Wheeler, Rae Burrel and Brittney Griner also joined the team. Team Laces protected Jackie Young and Alyssa Thomas. Brittney Skyes, Jordin Canada, Maddy Siegrist and Naz Hillmon also joined the team. Team Phantom protected Satou Sabally. Kelsey Plum, Aliyah Boston, Dana Evans, Natasha Cloud and Kiki Iriafen also joined the team. Team Mist protected co-founder Stewart. Allisha Gray, Alanna Smith, Veronica Burton, Arike Ogunbowale and Li Yueru also joined the team.   

The league is also introducing a development pool this season. These players will train in Unrivaled facilities and be able to fill in if players are injured. The pool is made up of Hailey Van Lith, Aziaha James, Haley Jones, Emily Engstler, Laeticia Amihere and Makayla Timpson.  

The second Unrivaled season will begin Jan. 5, with games mainly taking place in Miami; however, four teams will play in Philadelphia for the first time on Jan. 30. This season is sure to bring many exciting and fast-paced matchups.