Unleashed: How Unrivaled is Elevating the Next Generation

They say it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.

In Unrivaled, they have a kennel club—and it’s completely the opposite. Led by alpha dogs Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, they set out to create a league where players could elevate their game.

Safe to say, mission accomplished.

Unrivaled has been a breeding ground for breakouts.

We’ve witnessed seasoned pros like Azura Stevens, Tiffany Hayes, and Kayla McBride unlock new levels in their game. But where this league has truly made its mark is in the evolution of their younger players.

The offseason has transformed rising stars, helping them refine their skill sets and turn potential into dominance.

 

“I think that this league, we want to play and we want you [younger players] to see how hard we’re going on the court. The big part of this is player development…for me to see players like Li [Aaliyah Edwards] and Rickea…Angel is continuing to expand her game. This is what we want, we all want to get better and show different things.”

Angel Reese: From Tenacious to Transcendent

Angel Reese has taken an astronomical leap. She recorded the first 20/20 game in Unrivaled history and her professional career. Long known as a relentless rebounder, Reese leads the league in offensive rebounds and is second in total rebounds.

But the real story? Her offensive growth.

 

“you guys see Angel’s greatness from college to her rookie season..she’s finishing better. Y’all better give her flowers, as much as they like to s**t on her…Angel is definitely setting the tone for them…when you have that and other other players around you matching your example it creates good things.” – Natasha Cloud

What was once seen as a flaw early in her career—her finishing—has now become a strength. Reese has been finishing seamlessly around the rim.

WNBA Hall of Famer and one of the best post players to ever play in women’s professional basketball, Lisa Leslie, has been working with Reese on her game.

 

“I am like a proud mom sitting here watching,” – Lisa Leslie

During the broadcast when Leslie called Reese’s game she further went on to praise her

 

“She’s getting the ball higher off the glass—what we worked on yesterday…The defense is there. Her ability to bring the ball up, her passing skills have improved, but listen, it’s the defense for me.”

Reese has elevated her game playing in the fierce kennel that is Unrivaled.

 

“I like to play great players…I love a good challenge, and being able to play against Phee tonight…A lot of people don’t see the work I put in…it’s just the beginning.” – ANgel Reese

 

Rhyne Howard: The Humble Assassin

It’s clear to see that Rhyne Howard came into Unrivaled with an agenda.

Howard herself is an alpha. She won’t say it out loud per se, but her play on the court speaks volumes. From the opening tip of Unrivaled, she’s been on a mission—to prove that she is one of the most unstoppable forces in the game.

Howard set the tone from Game 1, dropping 28 points and never looking back. She’s the No. 6 scorer in the league, arguably the most complete guard in Unrivaled, and dominating on both ends of the floor.

In this league in particular, her offensive versatility is on full display. She’s leading the way by attacking off the dribble, hitting jumpers with confidence, and facilitating like a true floor general. But what makes her even more special is her defense. She’s locking in, taking on tough assignments, and making life miserable for opponents.

“SHE’S DOING IT ON BOTH ENDS. SHE’S BEING THAT TWO-WAY GUARD I KNOW SHE CAN BE… IT’S JUST GOING TO CARRY [INTO THE WNBA]” – Teresa Weatherspoon

And if you ask those around her, there’s no surprise in her dominance. Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon is enamored with Howard’s development. Weatherspoon wants to get every ounce of potential out her game.

“You have Rhyne who’s sitting here, leading the pack for us. She’s like the engine for us… and she’s productive in everything she’s doing.” – Teresa Weatherspoon.

Howard is setting a new standard of how she should be perceived in WNBA arenas.

The way she’s performing, she’s making a statement that will carry right into the WNBA season.

Aaliyah Edwards: Studying Under Champions, Playing Like One

One of the youngest players in Unrivaled is having the biggest leap in her game—Aaliyah Edwards.

But if you ask her about her breakout, she’ll tell you she expected it. Playing alongside Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd has forced her to level up, and she has.

 

“I can say I am a three-level scorer and make sure that translates over to 5×5.” — Aaliyah Edwards

Edwards played in the 1-on-1 tournament and made it to the finals. Although she finished as the runner-up to Napheesa Collier, her confidence is unshakable.

 

I’m proud of myself…let everyone know I am not one to play with. I am a competitor and I want to win, whatever that takes…It’s really about the confidence and more people are noticing how much my work is paying off.”

This Unrivaled season, Edwards has made quicker decisions. She’s asserted herself more on the offensive end. Not only is she showing flashes of her greatness, but she’s also establishing herself as a future cornerstone for the Washington Mystics.

Rae Burrell: The Turning Point

Score: 62-65. Vinyl vs. The Mist.

Then, Rae Burrell took over.

Burrell went on a personal 9-0 run, sinking clutch shots. She hit a dagger from two, another from mid-range, a crucial three-pointer, and capped it off with a game-winning layup.

The individual heroics of the 24-year-old sealed the win for Vinyl and confirmed what Teresa Weatherspoon has been saying all along:

“You’re only going to see greater things for Rae… I said from Day 1, for everyone to keep their eyes on Rae Burrell. I think I know talent when I see talent… there’s more to come. No one sees the work she does behind closed doors. We trust her, believe in her, and we want even more.”

Burrell’s game is blossoming in Unrivaled.

Teresa Weatherspoon wanted her game to grow, and it has. The work she’s been putting in is paying off—she’s making clutch shot after clutch shot while staying poised with the basketball in her hands.

Now entering a new phase of her basketball career, Unrivaled has been her personal launchpad for the next evolution of her game.

Kate Martin: The Prototype Sleeper Star

One of the biggest standouts during Unrivaled? Kate Martin.

K-Mart (is that a nickname for her yet?) has been impossible to ignore in her development.

“I love Kate. I love seeing her work so hard… the biggest difference is she’s much more confident. I know she puts the work in, and to see it translate on the court is amazing.” — Tiffany Hayes

Martin has not only worked hard off the court—she’s blossomed on it. Primarily known as a 3-and-D role player, a Swiss Army knife, she has adapted seamlessly to this league.

Looking at the box score, and the numbers aren’t gaudy by any stretch.

But if you watch the games, you see Martin doing the little things that help her team win. In her six appearances during the league, she’s 4-2. Martin is not afraid of the moment, a trait her coaches and teammates admire.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned? She’s fearless. As a coach, that’s something you admire.” — Andrew Wade

Rickea Jackson: The FEMALE KD

Phil Handy had high praise for Rickea Jackson:

“I want you to think KD. That was the first person that came to my mind… I think she has a really deep skill set. I’m thinking over these next 10 weeks, we can really help her reach her ceiling.”

That ceiling she operates under? It’s sky-high.

Jackson came into the offseason wanting to work on her handles, and they have tightened. It’s gotten to a point where, when Rickea is on the perimeter and crosses up her defender, it’s expected. Adding that element to her game—then going to her patented fadeaway—is an effortless and deadly combo.

The way Jackson has been attacking off the dribble is precise, it’s accurate, and she’s been amazing, to say the least. It’s gotten to the point where Rickea can literally just ask her defenders, “How do you want to get cooked this possession?”

Jackson has only scored in single digits twice in Unrivaled play, proving that she’s ready to take the next step for the Los Angeles Sparks. 

The Future is Now

Unrivaled has accomplished it’s goals.

To elevate players.

While the established stars in the league such as Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Napheesa Collier, and Chelsea Gray have put on a show, the true story has been the rise of the next generation.

Angel Reese has refined her offensive game. Aaliyah Edwards is proving she’s the cornerstone of the Mystics. Rickea Jackson is turning into an elite bucket-getter. Rhyne Howard is reminding everyone that she’s an alpha. Rae Burrell is gaining a trenmendous amount of experience and stepping up in the biggest moments.

Unrivaled has turned into breeding ground for talent.

A place where players wake up hungry and leave the court insatiable.