Angel Reese out for Unrivaled's second season

Angel Reese to Miss Unrivaled's Second Season

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese will not be suiting up for the second season of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league created by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The news comes as no surprise, given that Reese has been sidelined with a back injury throughout her sophomore WNBA season.

Reese's team, Rose BC, won the inaugural season of Unrivaled, and she was named Defensive Player of the Year. In a recent episode of her podcast, "Unapologetically Angel," Reese expressed her gratitude to the league for its impact on her development and wished it well for the upcoming season.

Reese is not the only high-profile player who will be sitting out Unrivaled's second season. Jewell Loyd of the Aces and Kayla McBride of the Lynx have also announced their absence, as well as Sky free agent Courtney Vandersloot, who is recovering from an ACL tear.

Despite the lack of some big names, Unrivaled's roster remains a strong one, featuring 80% of the All-WNBA first- and second-teamers. The league will begin its second season on January 5th, and fans can still expect to see several familiar faces, including Sky assistant coach Rena Wakama and free agent Rachel Banham.

The reduction in spots for Unrivaled from 56 to 48 has been met with some criticism, with some labeling the league as no longer "elite." However, the league's creators argue that this change will allow them to be more selective and attract even the top talent.

Other notable absences include two of the biggest names in women's basketball: A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark.

I think its pretty cool how Angel Reese is still showing love to Unrivaled even though she won't be playing this season . Its a great lesson about prioritizing your health over your passion for the game, you can't pour from an empty cup so to speak. And I'm curious if her experience will help others who do come back next season . On the other hand, it's interesting how some people are still salty about the reduction in spots ... maybe its time to realize that not every "elite" league has to be huge to be great

OMG, you guys! I'm low-key disappointed about Angel Reese not suiting up for Unrivaled's 2nd season... but also kinda relieved 'cause her back injury is no joke . The league still has an amazing roster, though - 80% of the All-WNBA team members? That's like, a no-brainer ! I'm all about the new format too, even if some people are salty about it... more selective spots can only mean better basketball . And don't even get me started on A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark not being part of it... what's up with that?! Anyways, January 5th can't come soon enough - I'm hyped for the new season! #Unrivaled #WNBA #BasketballLovers #NewSeasonVibes

OMG, I'M SO SAD THAT ANGEL REESE WON'T BE PLAYING IN UNRIVALED THIS SEASON! SHE WAS SUCH A HUGE PART OF THE FIRST SEASON AND I LOVED WATCHING HER DOMINATE ON THE COURT BUT I GUESS YOU CAN'T KEEP GOING WHEN YOU'RE SIDELINED WITH AN INJURY, RIGHT?

AND WHAT'S UP WITH ALL THESE HIGH-PROFILE PLAYERS SITTING OUT THIS SEASON?! JEWELL LOYD, KAYLA MCBRIDE, AND COURTNEY VANDERSTOPPET ARE SOME OF MY FAVS, SO I'M GOING TO MISS SEEING THEM COMPETE BUT I GUESS THE LEAGUE'S CHOICES ARE WHAT MAKE IT ELITE IN THE FIRST PLACE

I DO HAVE TO SAY THOUGH, 80% OF ALL-WNBA FIRST AND SECOND-TEAMERS ON THE ROSTER IS STILL PRETTY IMPRESSIVE BUT I FEEL LIKE THEY COULD'VE FIT IN SOME MORE BIG NAMES IF THEY WANTED TO

I feel like Unrivaled is gonna have a really interesting dynamic with all these big names missing. Like, I get it about being selective, but at the same time, I'm curious to see how they'll pull off not having some of the biggest stars. It's still got 80% of the All-WNBA first and second-teams, so you know it's gonna be tough to beat. And I love that Rena Wakama is still involved - she must've had a great experience playing in Unrivaled last season!

Ugh, I'm so done with Unrivaled's roster changes . First they reduce the spots from 56 to 48 and now some big names like A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark are out? It just doesn't add up. And don't even get me started on the lack of transparency about why these players are sitting out... .

I mean, I get it, injuries happen and all that, but come on, Unrivaled's creators should be doing more to address the concerns of fans like me who were hyped for this league in the first place . And another thing, what's with the constant complaining about being "elite" if you can't even attract all the top talent? It just seems like a bunch of excuses... .

I'm still gonna keep an eye on it, but I'm not holding my breath for this season to be anything special .

omg u guys i cant even believe aja wilson isnt playing unrealived anymore i love her so much!! anyway i was thinking about this change to 48 spots and im like yeah makes sense i dont know how the league could've been more selective lol but what do i know? also omg rachel banham is back!!! i loved watching her play on the aces last season. btw have u guys seen angel reese's podcast lately? she talks so much about her life and stuff its kinda crazy

OMG, like seriously who's surprised that Angel Reese can't make it to Unrivaled? Back injuries are no joke . On the bright side, the league is still gonna be lit with all those talented players . 80% of the All-WNBA first and second teamers on one roster? That's like a WNBA dream team in itself . I'm not mad at them for cutting down the number of teams from 56 to 48 tho, it makes sense that they wanna attract only the best players . But come on, A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark are OUT ? That's like losing two generational talents in one swoop. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how this season unfolds .

Ugh, what's up with all these withdrawals from Unrivaled? I get it, injuries happen, but come on! It's already shaping up to be a weak second season without some of the top talent. 80% of the All-WNBA team is still pretty lit tho . They really should've just kept the original 56 spots - this reduction thing just sounds like an excuse to make it harder for players to get in. And what's up with the lack of A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark?! Those girls are balling on another level . Anyway, I'm still hyped for January 5th, gonna be fun to watch the pros go at it!

I think it's awesome that Angel Reese won't be playing in Unrivaled 2, gotta keep her safe from those 3-on-3 games lol! And honestly, who needs all these big names when you got players like Rena Wakama and Rachel Banham who are already killing the game? The reduction to 48 spots is probably a good thing too, less drama and more talent at each team. I don't get why people say Unrivaled is no longer elite just 'cause they took away some roster spots... sounds like a excuse to me

Ugh I'm so disappointed Angel Reese isn't playing in Unrivaled's second season . She was having an amazing season in the WNBA and then had to sit out due to her back injury... it's like, what's next? And with Jewell Loyd and Kayla McBride also taking a break, you'd think there would be more superstars showing up for this league . But I guess that 80% of All-WNBA first- and second-teamers is still pretty impressive . Still, the reduction in spots to 48 might make it harder for them to compete with other leagues... they should've gone with 56 if you ask me .

Ugh, another season, another wave of injuries . I mean, can't these players just get a break for once? 48 spots is still a pretty decent number, but hey, if they're gonna make it more exclusive, might as well see what the rest of the world has to offer . And seriously, where's the talent in A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark? Two of the biggest names in women's basketball benchwarmed because of a 3-on-3 league . Still, I guess it'll be interesting to see how they adjust (or not) .

Ugh I'm so bummed out about Angel Reese not being able to play in Unrivaled 2 she was literally one of my favorite players last season and I know how much it means to her but at the same time I get why she needs to sit this one out with that back injury it's just so frustrating when we don't get to see our fave athletes compete anyway I'm hyped for the rest of the league, especially Rose BC and Rena Wakama is like my ultimate coach icon can't wait to watch her bring home that title again

omg u guys 1st season was so fire!!! 56 teams is a lot, but I guess it made sense that some would be missing from this 2nd season 80% of all-wnba first/second teamers tho?? that's crazy! idk about the reduction in spots tho...I think it'll affect the quality of play also, who else is gonna watch a league without Angel Reese, Jewell Loyd, and Kayla McBride? I mean, i know they're all dealing with injuries, but still...some big names are missing and what's up with no A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark tho??? those 2 would've been a major draw

omg I'm kinda surprised they're not gonna have Angel Reese on Unrivaled 2nd season , but I guess that back injury was a major setback ... still super hyped for the upcoming season tho! They got some amazing players like Rena Wakama and Rachel Banham who will definitely bring the heat . And omg can't believe they're not having A'ja Wilson or Caitlin Clark , those girls would've been absolute game-changers on that court ... what do you guys think about this news?

I'm calling BS on this one . I don't buy the "change allows us to be more selective" excuse for reducing spots from 56 to 48. That sounds like a thinly veiled attempt to justify a decrease in talent and popularity . Where's the data to support this claim? What's the real reason for the reduction? Is it because the league isn't drawing in enough viewers or sponsors?

omg I'm so bummed to hear that Angel Reese won't be playing in Unrivaled this season she was having such a great impact on the game and it's a shame she has to sit out due to her injury hopefully she'll make a full recovery by next season . I do agree with the changes they made to the league tho, 48 spots is still gonna bring some of the best talent together, gotta keep it real