A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, and the 12 best WNBA players not playing in Unrivaled, ranked

Unrivaled, the new professional women’s 3-on-3 basketball league launching next Friday, Jan. 17th in Miami, doesn’t lack star power. The league, co-founded by two-time MVP Breanna Stewart and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier, features 16 players who were All-Stars or on the U.S. Olympic team this past season.

Five of the top seven rookies selected in the 2024 drafted — Cameron Brink (#2), Rickea Jackson (#4), Aaliyah Edwards (#6), and Angel Reese (#7) — are playing in Unrivaled. Five of the WNBA’s top scorers in 2024 — Arike Ogunbowale (#2), Kahleah Copper (#3), Breanna Stewart (#4), Napheesa Collier (#5), and Jewell Loyd (#6) are participating.

Still, several notable stars opted not to play. Here’s who won’t be participating in Unrivaled this time around.

1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

2024 stats: 26.9 points (59.1 TS%), 11.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.8 steals

Wilson, a three-time MVP, and two-time WNBA champion, confirmed in September that she would not be participating in Unrivaled.

“I’m not going to completely cut it out, because you never know,” Wilson said, per Nekias Duncan. “But I will not be in Unrivaled this year.”

2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Indiana Fever v Connecticut Sun - Game Two

2024 stats: 19.2 points (58.4 TS%), 8.4 assists, 5.7

No players’ participation in Unrivaled was the subject of more speculation than Caitlin Clark, who followed an all-time college career with a phenomenal rookie season on the Indiana Fever.

Clark ultimately opted to spend her offseason recovering from the season and working out individually, but the league certainly gave recruiting Clark their best shot.

3. Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty

2024 stats: 14.2 points (64.5 TS%), 9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 blocks

The 2024 Finals MVP is currently signed in China for the Sichuan Yuanda, continuing her track record of playing overseas basketball during the WNBA offseason. But, she’s currently taking time off and has yet to play a game in Sichaun. Either way, the five-time All-Star won’t be Unrivaled this winter. Jones is fresh off an excellent season with the Liberty in which she was named Second Team All-WNBA.

4. Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm

2024 stats: 16.7 points (57.8 TS%), 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 2.3 assists

Ogwumike, the 2016 WNBA MVP, hasn’t played overseas offseason basketball since 2019, but at 34 years old, it appears she’s simply taking the winter off from organized basketball. Ogwumike was Second Team All-WNBA this past season and was the Storm’s most consistent player.

5. Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever

2024 stats: 19.2 points (58.8 TS%), 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Kelsey Mitchell is currently playing for the Shanxi Flame, where she’s the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association’s second-leading scorer with 23.8 points per game. Mitchell, one of the top free agents on the market this winter, won’t be playing in Unrivaled after the best season of her WNBA career.

6. Ezi Magbegor, Seattle Storm

2024 stats: 11.7 points (57.8 TS%), 8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.1 steals

Ezi Magbegor, one of the league’s best defenders, is with USK Prague for her second straight season. Mabgegor had an excellent year with the Storm, being named to the All-Defensive First Team for the first time in her career.

7. Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces

2024 WNBA Playoffs - New York Liberty v Las Vegas Aces

2024 stats: 17.8 points (56.3 TS%), 4.2 assists, 2.6 rebounds

Kelsey Plum was initially slated to commit to Unrivaled, but was a last-minute dropout from the new 3-on-3 basketball league, sharing on her Instagram story that she would no longer be participating. Plum is one of the top players

8. Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun

Fenerbahce Opet vs ZVVZ USK - FIBA EuroLeague Women

2024 stats: 13.7 points (58.1 TS%), 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists

Jones, a free agent this winter, is playing for USK Praha of the FIBA EuroLeague. Jones is averaging 17.3 points and 7.2 rebounds across 6 games so far, and is one of the All-Star post players who won’t be playing in Unrivaled this season.

9. Chennedy Carter, Chicago Sky

WNBA: SEP 15 Phoenix Mercury at Chicago Sky

2024 stats: 17.5 points (53 TS%), 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists

Carter has been one of the most dominant players in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association this offseason. Carter has led the Women’s China Basketball Association in scoring (30.3 points per game), assists (5.8), and steals (2.5). She also has the league’s highest efficiency rating at 29.3.

Under her leadership, the Wuhan Shengfan are 13-3 this season, most recently propelling the team to an 8-game win streak with a 35-point, 8-assist, 4-steal performance.

10. DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut Sun

Connecticut Sun v Minnesota Lynx - Game Five

2024 stats: 15 points (52.4 TS%), 6 rebounds, 2 assists

At 37 years old, it’s no surprise that Bonner opted to rest this offseason. Last winter, Bonner played for the Turkish club Çukurova Basketbol Kulübü, but this year, she’s taking time off before her 16th WNBA season.

11. Tina Charles, Atlanta Dream

2024 stats: 14.9 points (50.1 TS%), 9.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists

Tina Charles has been playing for the Turkish club Fenerbahce Opet Istanbul this winter after a superb summer with the Dream.

12. Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury

Phoenix Mercury v Minnesota Lynx - Game Two

2024 stats: 14.9 points (55.4 TS%), 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists

Diana Taurasi hasn’t yet announced if she’s retiring — or if she’ll return to her 22nd season with the Phoenix Mercury. In the meantime, it’s no surprise she’s resting this offseason rather than playing more competitive basketball.

Source link

A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, and the 12 best WNBA players not playing in Unrivaled, ranked

1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever