For some players, their impact extends far beyond the box score. That includes Los Angeles Sparks guard Rae Burrell.
The Las Vegas product is fine with that process, though. After playing her first three years at Foothill (Henderson, Nev.), she made the jump to Liberty (Henderson, Nev.) for her senior campaign before descending to perennial power Tennessee. While she ultimately became a Top 10 pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, it definitely was a process. Now, in the pros, it's a whole new process.
"Talk about growth...I don't think people realize how young I still am in the League," the Los Angeles Sparks/Vinyl star told Ballislife after an Unrivaled game in Miami. "There have been a lot of ups and downs in my journey. I am finally getting some consistency for that."
How Unrivaled Prepared Burrell for the 2026 WNBA Season
The aforementioned growth carried over from the Unrivaled season into this year with the Sparks, albeit in a slightly different role. Averaging a career-high 12.8 points per game at Unrivaled under Hall of Fame coach Teresa Weatherspoon, it was evident that her confidence was reaching new highs on the hardwood with both her swagger and her play. It wasn't given, though. It was earned.
"I really prepared for this Unrivaled season because we had two months off [following the '25 WNBA season] and I was working for those two months," the self-assured 25-year-old explained. "I wanted to make that jump and make that progression in my game because I want THAT."
She added, "I am just trying to make sure that every year I am growing and getting better. This has just been a great stepping stone for me."
The preparation that Burrell brought in the offseason is reflected in her play on the floor in both the W and in Unrivaled. She has seen her scoring average go up every single year with the Los Angeles Sparks, has shot more threes each and every season she's been in the league, and is a coach's dream with the ability to defend all five spots for periods of time.
That flexibility and mentality have made her a Swiss Army knife who can be used in a myriad of ways on the hardwood.
"Rae Burrell is an incredible basketball player," coach Weatherspoon told Ballislife with a beaming smile on her face after an Unrivaled game in Miami. "She plays fearless basketball, and that's the kind of player you want to step in between those four lines because she lives for the moment."
Rae Burrell tonight 🔥
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) June 18, 2026
• 19 points
• 3 assists
• 6/10 FG pic.twitter.com/ceIZXoJ4Wm
Inside Burrell's Breakout Season
Now in her fifth season with the Sparks, Burrell is averaging career-highs across the board. In 15 games, she's posted 11.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, while shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Despite earning eight starts, Burrell has emerged as a legitimate Sixth Player of the Year candidate, alongside Janelle Salaûn (Valkyries), Chennedy Carter (Aces), and Satou Sabally (Liberty). She recorded 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting against a stingy Minnesota Lynx defense on Wednesday. On Monday, Burrell put up a career-high 24 points against the Mercury. In the Sparks' 111-104 victory, Burrell posted three rebounds and three blocks off the bench.
And while Burrell certainly lets basketball be the main thing, she has thrived in other aspects of her life, living in the moment. She has secured off-court sponsorship deals with the likes of Reign Storm, Nike, Sally Hansen, and Maker's Mark. Furthermore, she treated her time in Miami with Unrivaled not only as a way to prepare herself for the WNBA season, but also as an enlightening life experience to cherish the time with another group of like-minded, successful, driven individuals.
"Honestly, just being around my team. I'm such a social butterfly, and I love building relationships. These relationships are going to last a lifetime," Rae explained with a smile on her face about what she enjoyed the most during her time with Unrivaled. "We connect together, we have fun together, and on top of that, the basketball is competitive. These are the best players in the league, so who wouldn't want to compete against the best of the best every night?"
A Bright Spot for the Sparks Amid Their Struggles
Sitting at 7-8 now, the Sparks have dropped two straight games, but remain on the fringe of playoff contention. Rae has been a spark off the bench and as a starter, but that hasn't changed her mentality at all. She's putting up career numbers in the W early this season, bringing positional versatility, and most importantly, an infectious aura to the team as the season goes on.
"It's basketball, there's gonna be ups and downs," she said matter-of-factly. "It's just how persistent that you're going to be."
The Sparks next host the New York Liberty on Sunday, June 21, at Crypto.com Arena at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
