Unrivaled dropped the full rosters for all eight teams on Wednesday, with the season set to tip off on Jan. 5. With more than 20 players added for its second season, the 2026 draft was one for the books!
Unrivaled’s Protected list
The four teams that participated in Unrivaled’s playoffs—Rose, Vinyl, Laces, and Lunar Owls—each protected two players. The two teams that did not qualify for the playoffs—Mist and Phantom—protected one player each.
Before Unrivaled announced its full 2026 rosters, the protected players from the 2025 inaugural season will return to their respective teams:
Rose: Guards Kahleah Copper and Chelsea Gray (2025 Unrivaled champions)
Vinyl: Forward Dearica Hamby and guard Rhyne Howard
Laces: Forward Alyssa Thomas and guard Jackie Young
Lunar Owls: Guard Skylar Diggins and forward Napheesa Collier, the 2025 Unrivaled MVP
Mist: Forward Breanna Stewart
Phantom: Forward Satou Sabally
Rose Runs It Back with Four Returning Players
Rose BC brought back four players from their inaugural season—guards Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Lexie Hull, along with forward/center Azura Stevens—and head coach Nola Henry as they aim to defend their title as Unrivaled champions.
Gray and Copper each bring WNBA championship pedigrees to Unrivaled and were also teammates on Team USA, which won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. They also previously earned Finals MVP awards and share similarities in crunch-time scoring.
Hull was effective off the bench for the Indiana Fever over the past two seasons and brings 3-point shooting and defensive intensity to team Rose.
I like us! 🌹😏
— nrh (@777NRH) November 6, 2025
During her season with the Los Angeles Sparks, Stevens was considered a top contender for the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award. She was effective from beyond the arc and has the ability to rebound and score aggressively in the paint.
The team added Sug Sutton and Shakira Austin as new players to fill the gaps left by Brittney Sykes (Laces BC) and Angel Reese, who either joined new teams or did not return to the league.
In 2023, Sutton became the first player in Phoenix Mercury franchise history to record a triple-double in a home game. Known for her 3-level scoring abilities, she excels in driving to the rim and is a high-energy guard.
Since joining the Washington Mystics in 2022, Austin has been effective on both ends of the court in the post when fully healthy. After missing most of the 2024 season due to injuries, she was named AP Comeback Player of the Year for her contributions to the team throughout the regular season. The inaugural season champs just bolstered their roster by adding size with Shakira Austin.
Laces Strengthen Roster to Compete for 2026 Title
Forward Alyssa Thomas and guard Jackie Young are the only returning players for Laces BC, who lost to Rose BC in the inaugural postseason, with Andrew Wade returning as head coach.
During a live broadcast on Bleacher Report on Wednesday, Young mentioned she’s accustomed to playing 3×3 basketball after winning an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo with Team USA’s 3×3 team.
She also expressed excitement about staying with Laces BC and playing alongside Thomas to continue building team chemistry in Unrivaled’s second season. They were also teammates on Team USA in 2024.
During her first year with the Phoenix Mercury, Thomas recorded eight triple-doubles in a single season and played a role in the team’s surprising run to the Finals.
Three new players—forwards Maddy Siegrist and Alanna Smith, and center Li Yueru—have been added to the team, joining Brittney Sykes, who was with Rose BC last season.
Siegrist and Yueru were also familiar with each other as teammates on the Dallas Wings’ system throughout the WNBA season. After being a part of the New York Liberty as a Director of Player Development, Wade will enter his second season as head coach for the Laces. A top team last year, the Laces lost Kayla McBride and Tiffany Hayes. This year, the team is guard-heavy, yet lacks size.
Lunar Owls Make Adjustments With Mabrey, Edwards
The Lunar Owls were one of the most dominant teams in Unrivaled’s inaugural season, led by co-founder and MVP forward Napheesa Collier and guard Skylar Diggins.
Although the team lost guard Allisha Gray to Mist BC, the Lunar Owls filled that gap with Marina Mabrey, known for her explosive 3-point shooting and strong defense.
The team also added guard/forward Rebecca Allen and guard Rachel Banham, both known for their 3-point prowess, and who were teammates on the Chicago Sky last season.
They also added forward Aaliyah Edwards to team up with Collier in the paint as part of a rotating frontcourt. During the WNBA season, she was traded from the Washington Mystics to the Connecticut Sun, where she learned from Tina Charles’s veteran experience.
The Lunar Owls are led by head coach DJ Sackmann, who won the Unrivaled’s Coach of the Year award this past season. The Owls may have the league’s strongest 3-point shooting. Don’t count out any team led by Collier.
Mist BC Strengthens Backcourt with Guard Depth
Even with only one returning player, forward Breanna Stewart, Mist BC filled the void left by departing players in both the backcourt and frontcourt.
Mist has replaced Phil Handy with Zach O’Brien as head coach for the upcoming season. O’Brien has been part of Sandy Brondello’s coaching staff for the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty over the past few years.
The team added guards Allisha Gray, Arike Ogunbowale, and Veronica Burton, as each of them shares similarities in scoring at all three levels. In addition, Gray and Ogunbowale reunite as teammates after four seasons together with the Dallas Wings.
Burton was also named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year for her breakout season and contributions to the Golden State Valkyries in the team’s inaugural season. Look for Mist to emerge as a top defensive team with Stewart, Gray, Smith, and Burton!
Phantom BC Gets a Fresh Start
After a disappointing debut in the Unrivaled’s first season, the Phantom brought back only two players—forward Satou Sabally and guard Natasha Cloud—while making changes in both the backcourt and the frontcourt.
They brought in guards Kelsey Plum and Dana Evans while adding Aliyah Boston and Kiki Iriafen in the front court.
Both Plum and Evans bring WNBA championship experience, having been part of the Las Vegas Aces’ dynasty during the 2020s. Additionally, Evans was a key player in the team’s recent Championship run, contributing scoring off the bench and defending Alyssa Thomas in this year’s WNBA Finals.
On the other hand, Plum received a fresh start with the Los Angeles Sparks after spending her first eight seasons with the Las Vegas Aces. Back in her hometown of California, she took on a leadership role and is known for her exceptional scoring ability and ball-handling skills.
In the frontcourt, Boston and Iriafen both score aggressively in the paint and often achieve double-doubles for their respective WNBA teams this season.
Roneeka Hodges will serve as head coach for Phantom, taking over for Adam Harrington. She previously held assistant coaching positions with the New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun under Brondello and Rachid Meziane, respectively. This is an extremely strong frontcourt with Boston, Iriafen, and Sabally!
GO COP A JERSEY RIGHT NOW! ⬇️
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) November 6, 2025
🛍️: https://t.co/DSMNdsyUCu pic.twitter.com/WPxg8GKygy
Vinyl Adjusts Backcourt Positions Following Last Season’s Finals Loss
The Vinyl are coming off a Finals loss to Rose last season and look to run it back with Rae Burrell, Hamby, and Howard returning, along with Teresa Weatherspoon as head coach.
The team added guards Courtney Williams and Erica Wheeler, along with center Brittney Griner, to enhance their veteran presence.
During her first season with the Seattle Storm, Wheeler excelled as both a starter and a bench player, leading the team to a playoff berth in the final week of the regular season.
Williams is known for her famous pull-up jump shots and clutch buckets, especially during the Minnesota Lynx’s 2024 Finals run. Her energetic playing style is characterized by her ability to make plays and score skillfully.
To round off Vinyl’s roster, Griner is known for her dominant scoring and defense as a center and was the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft.
Paige Bueckers Teams Up with Breeze
Team Breeze is one of the most exciting teams in Unrivaled’s upcoming season, with a core of young, rising stars shaping the WNBA’s future.
Guard Paige Bueckers and center Dominique Malonga were the top two picks in this year’s WNBA Draft and now have the opportunity to develop team chemistry together on Breeze.
Additionally, Bueckers was named this year’s Rookie of the Year and earned All-WNBA Second Team honors after an impressive rookie campaign with the Dallas Wings.
Guard Rickea Jackson and forward Cameron Brink are teammates for the Los Angeles Sparks, who selected them both in the 2024 WNBA Draft as the second and fourth overall picks.
Paige Bueckers’ Breeze jersey sold out within’ minutes of being posted 🤯
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) November 6, 2025
Now every Breeze club jersey is sold out.
(h/t hspinksatellite) pic.twitter.com/91nQCJDySA
To add WNBA experience, the Breeze added 2021 NCAA Champion and point guard Aari McDonald, who played for the Los Angeles Sparks and Indiana Fever this past season. She stood out for the Fever with her strong scoring and defense before missing the rest of the season due to a foot injury.
Fan favorite guard Kate Martin will also join the team, showcasing her 3-point shooting and defense.
The Breeze will be coached by Noelle Quinn, who recently served as the Seattle Storm’s head coach for five seasons before being replaced by Sonia Raman. Additionally, she was an associate head coach during the team’s 2020 championship run under Gary Kloppenburg.
Quinn is also familiar with Malonga, whom she coached during the Storm’s recent season in her rookie year. Keep an eye on the frontcourt duo of Brink and Malonga, as it will be interesting to watch throughout Unrivaled’s second season.
Hive Gets Scoring Juggernaut with Kelsey Mitchell
The Hive BC assembled a roster of young and veteran players for their debut season in Unrivaled, with Chicago Sky assistant coach Rena Wakama serving as head coach.
The team added veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell, one of the most dynamic guards in the WNBA for the Indiana Fever, known for her lethal 3-point shooting and quickness. To complement her, they brought in Natisha Hiedeman, who had been sensational off the bench for the Minnesota Lynx.
When it comes to the frontcourt, the Hive brought in forwards Ezi Magbegor, known for protecting the rim, and Monique Billings, recognized as a dynamic forward.
To top it off, the team added two players from the 2025 WNBA Draft class— guard Sonia Citron, who was selected third overall by the Washington Mystics, and guard Saniya Rivers, who was chosen eighth overall by the Connecticut Sun. Whoever runs this PR team should have a blast!
Development pool
There will be a development pool of players who’ll be available pending injuries across Unrivaled in the new season.
Guards Hailey Van Lith and Aziaha James, alongside forwards Emily Engstler, Haley Jones, Laeticia Amihere, and Makayla Timpson, are part of Unrivaled’s development pool.
All eight teams in Unrivaled share a common trait: they maintain a balance between talented players and a competitive spirit. Besides that, women’s basketball fans will have a chance to find new favorites in Unrivaled’s second season this winter.
The 2026 Unrivaled season will kick off on Jan. 5 and will mainly take place in Miami. Additionally, four Unrivaled teams will travel to Philadelphia for the league’s inaugural stop, with games scheduled for Jan. 30.
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