The Unrivaled 3-on-3 league opened its second season on Monday, January 5, providing a welcome focal point for women’s basketball as the WNBA continues negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement. With rosters made up entirely of WNBA players and salaries that can exceed standard league pay, Unrivaled has quickly established itself as a high-level winter alternative rather than a mere offseason diversion.
Opening night belonged to Paige Bueckers. Making her long-awaited Unrivaled debut with Breeze BC, the former UConn star immediately justified the excitement surrounding her arrival. Fresh off a national championship run and a Rookie of the Year season, Bueckers delivered a commanding performance that pushed aside ongoing comparisons to Caitlin Clark.
Bueckers led all scorers with 24 points, while also contributing six assists and five rebounds, as Breeze defeated Phantom BC 69–62. She received strong support from Rickea Jackson, who scored 16 points, and Dominique Malonga with 15, while Cameron Brink added valuable minutes in limited action. Phantom countered with solid outings from Tiffany Hayes (20 points), Aliyah Boston (18), and Kelsey Plum (12), but they were unable to slow Bueckers’ efficiency. In the open, physical 3-on-3 format, her ability to exploit space proved decisive.
After the game, Bueckers noted that while the WNBA is known for its physicality, Unrivaled may be even more demanding, given the concentration of elite talent on the floor. Her showing stood in contrast to the absence of Clark, who opted out of Unrivaled for a second straight year as she focuses on recovery following an injury-affected 2025 season.
The league itself continues to expand rapidly. Two new teams were added this season, increasing roster opportunities and raising the stakes. The championship bonus has doubled to $100,000 per player, underscoring growing investor confidence and fan interest. Looking ahead, Unrivaled is also investing in its future through a major NIL initiative announced in July 2025, securing partnerships with many of the top names in women’s college basketball.
For Bueckers and Breeze BC, the season opener was a clear statement and a sign that Unrivaled’s momentum, and her own, is only accelerating.
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