
It's official. Unrivaled 3v3 is officially here and will begin its inaugural season tonight! Co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, the league has 36 players set to play amongst six clubs. It's the hottest new women's basketball league, providing athletes with another option besides playing overseas. Offering top-of-the-line amenities and increased pay, Unrivaled recruited some of the top players, including Angel Reese, Sabrina Ionescu, Brittney Griner, and more.
Photo Credit: Unrivaled
If you're interested in betting on Unrivaled, all 45 games will air nationally on TNT and TruTV. With more accessibility and visibility to women's sports, seven sports bars nationwide will host watch parties beginning today.
If you follow my articles, I love betting on basketball and cover women's basketball extensively. With that said, there's great news on the horizon for bettors! DraftKings has officially published Unrivaled's championship odds for the 2025 inaugural season in select jurisdictions. That includes CO, IL, KS, MD, NC, ON, OR, TN, WY and WA.
Along with game lines, DraftKings Sportsbook presents the first field goal, future bets, and specials for tip-off tonight. I had some fun with this one, especially since Friday is opening night.
In this article, I will break down the futures odds and give my best predictions and best bets for the Unrivaled inaugural season. In addition, I will provide my best predictions for the four teams that will advance to the playoffs. Let's first look at each team's odds of winning a championship.
Phantom BC: +300
Mist BC: +400
Lunar Owls BC: +400
Laces BC: +500
Vinyl BC: +600
Rose BC: +700
Roster: Satou Sabally (F), Marina Mabrey (G)*, Brittney Griner (F), Natasha Cloud (G), Sabrina Ionescu (G), Katie Lou Samuelson
Strengths: Three-point shooting
Oddly enough, I heavily disagree with the odds heading into this season. The favorite to win the Unrivaled Championship at +300 odds, I just don't see it. Led by Sabrina Ionescu, the guard will miss a portion of the season due to personal obligations. One of the most elite players in the league, Ionescu is coming off thumb surgery. Therefore, we truly don't know how limited Ionescu will be.
Injury news to Marina Mabrey sent shockwaves across the women's basketball word as Unrivaled announce she will miss 2-4 weeks with a right calf injury. As a result, Natisha Hiedemann was signed to a relief player contract. We know how gritty Hiedemann can be, especially on the defensive end. And in last year's playoff run with the Lynx, we've seen how the guard can effectively score in transition.
With Ionescu coming back from injury, and without Mabrey, it's unclear if the Phantom possess adequate scoring numbers from Hiedemann and Katie Lou Samuelson. While Satou Sabally was limited to 15 games last season, this squad may be a bit rusty from injuries. In addition, this is an extremely high paced league, and I'm not sue if Brittney Griner will be up to speed with that.
Overall, this is a strong roster, especially from three-point range on paper. With injury concerns, I've counted them out as a top playoff contending team.
*Per release, Marina Mabrey has suffered a right calf injury. In event, Phantom BC has signed Natisha Hiedemann to a relief player contract.
Roster: Breanna Stewart (F), DiJonai Carrington (G), Courtney Vandersloot (G), Jewell Loyd (G), Aaliyah Edwards (F), Rickea Jackson (F)
Strengths: Defense, Shooting, Length, Championship experience
If there's any roster I'm looking forward to watching, it's the Mist. How do you not love Brenna Stewart, who's won WNBA Championships with Courtney Vandersloot and Jewell Loyd? Better yet, can you simply imagine Stewart and DiJonari Carrington sharing the court together, especially on the defensive end? One of the best floor generals in the game, Vandersloot leads a strong backcourt.
Fresh off rookie seasons, it will be interesting to see the increased development of Aaliyah Edwards and Rickea Jackson. Two standouts from the 2024 WNBA Draft class, Jackson proved what kind of potential she has in her rookie season. Excellent from mid range, Jackson joins Edwards, who should get some nice looks inside.
Some may say DiJonai Carrington and Jewell Loyd on the same team may be unfair. However, Vandersloot, Loyd, Carrington, and even Jackson are streaky shooters at times. While the level of talent on these team is unreal, there are some major question marks with fit and shooting consistency. If that's not a problem, I can see the Mist finishing as a top team (3) in the league.
We have to remember, they don't call Jewel Loyd the "Gold Mamba" for nothing. This team has some serious talent on both ends of the court.
Roster: Napheesa Collier (F), Courtney Williams (G), Skylar Diggins-Smith (G), Allisha Gray (G), Shakira Austin (F), Cameron Brink(F)
Strengths: Defense, 3x3 experience
When I look at this roster, I think studs on the court. Together, we know how well Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams work together on both sides of the ball. I do believe if Cam Brink was able to lace up, I would rank this team higher. If you didn't know, Brink is still recovering from an ACL tear taken place during he rookie year.
When it comes to Olympic experience, we have Collier, who helped USA take home the gold in 2024. In addition, Brink and Allisha Gray have 3x3 experience? Helping USA take home the 3x3 Gold Medal in 2020, Brink is a FIBA 3x3 World Cup gold medalist.
With that said, these players understand the pace and movement that 3-on-3 requires. We all saw how Allisha Gray performed during last year's All-Star weekend. One of the most underrated players in the league, Gray is also a pest on the defensive end. Speaking of defense this team also has Shakira Austin and Courtney Williams.
Playing just 30 games in the last two season, now is time for Austin to rebound from all the injuries. Stating she feels "great" to the media, just how well can this team flow together? With Collier as the defensive anchor, this squad is loaded.
Roster: Jackie Young (G), Tiffany Hayes (G), Kayla McBride (G), Alyssa Thomas (G/F), Kate Martin (G), Stefanie Dolson (C)
Strengths: Scoring, defense, grit
When I look at this roster, I see one of the best offensive backcourts in the league. Are you kidding me? Alyssa Thomas, Kayla McBride, and Jackie Young? That's not fair. Then you add Kayla McBride who put the whole league on notice during the WNBA Finals both offensively and defensively.
Predicted to win a championship at +500 odds, sure the backcourt is extremely strong. A triple-double machine, Alyssa Thomas is a one-of-a-kind player. Although Thomas is unable to shoot from distance due to a shoulder injury, her ability to attack down hill is sensational. One of the strongest point forwards in the game, It's truly hard to stop Thomas at full blown speed. In addition, AT is a disruptor on the defensive end.
You combine that with Jackie Young, who's one of the best shooting guards in the league. Although Kate Martin was selected in the expansion draft, three of the six players placed for the Aces last season. Or should be say L (ACES). This is a team who has players who can guard the 1-4. I love the size here. And what a great opportunity for Kate Martin to learn from such seasoned veterans.
Overall, Stefanie Dolson has a ton of 3x3 FIBA experience, helping the United States bring home the gold medal in 2020. However, even with Alyssa Thomas playing point forward, size is still an issue. Although Kate Martin is still developing, look for this team to be among the top this season.
For +500 odds, I truly believe they have the best chances and roster to compete for a championship in Unrivaled.
Roster: Arike Ogunbowale (G), Rhyne Howard (G), Jordin Canada (G), Rae Burrell (F), Aliyah Boston (F), Dearica Hamby (F)
Strengths: Defense, speed, scoring, interior presence
Right off the bat, I love this roster based off the 3x3 experience alone. Although Unrivaled is vastly different from FIBA, both Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby helped the United States take home the 2024 Olympic Games 3x3 bronze medal. With that said, these two have chemistry in a unique 3v3 setting. That means they understand the grit, pace, and energy needed to sustain this type of play.
Adding Jordin Canada gives the Vinyl one of the best defensive backcourts in the league. Combine that with Arike Ogunbowale who's nothing but a straight bucket. Overall, this team screams speed. As we all know, both Ogunbowale and Howard can strike from any distance at anytime, especially from three-point range.
While I'm intrigued how head coach Teresa Weatherspoon will utilize Aliyah Boston in the lineup, the thought of Hamby and Boston inside is frightening. I do believe this team has the perfect tough of speed, scoring, speed, and interior presence to carry themselves as a top four playoff team.
With +600 odds, the Vinyl hold some great value to win the Championship.
Roster: Angel Reese (F), Chelsey Gray (G), Brittney Sykes (G), Kahleah Copper (G), Azurà Stevens (F), Lexie Hull (G/F)
Strengths: Playmaking and Rebounding
I personally do believe Rose Basketball Club is not the weakest link in the pack. With the highest odds of +700 to win the championship, this team has a combined 11 All-Star appearances, 5 WNBA Championships, 3 Olympic Gold Medals, and 2 NCAA Championships. Not to mention, a defensive juggernaut in guard Brittney Sykes. If anything, this is a roster that's comprised of champions, including players that now how to win. Sometimes Championship rosters are often built off of so much more than top named players.
Chelsey Gray is a 3-time champion, and will be the focal point on offense. While Gray had a down season with the Aces following an injury, the "point gawd" remains one of the most prolific facilitators in the game. Known for her incredible court vision and IQ, it will certainly be entertaining to watch Gray connect with such talent on Rose.
What a rookie campaign it was for Angel Reese, who led all defensive leaders with 13.1 rebounds per game. Leading all 144 players with 26 double-doubles, Reese should be a significant force for the Rose's front court. Averaging career-highs in rebounds (7.0). Although limited to just 20 games with injury, Stevens is a double-double machine when healthy.
When I look at the strengths of this teams, I look at the potential in the backcourt with Gray, Sykes, and Copper. Two of them recently were members of the 2024 Olympic team, and Sykes and Copper are straight buckets. Coming off a career-high 21.1 points per game, Copper is a player like Gray, who's unstoppable at times. Although Sykes is an underrated player, who can disrupt anyone on the defensive end. 2x All-Defensive First Time, Sykes is a speedy guard, who will pair well with Lexie Hull on the defensive side of things.
Don't forget about Hull's shooting capabilities. Although overshadowed a bit by Caitlin Clark, Hull finished with a 47.1 three-point percentage in 2024. A sniper from beyond the arc, how can we forget Hull's career 22 point performance with six made threes last year vs the Storm?
© 2005-2024 BALLISLIFE.COM - PO BOX 15355. IRVINE, CA 92623
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.