Season 2 of Unrivaled Basketball is quickly approaching; however, some fans are concerned that Chicago Sky star Angel Reese may not be part of it. Over the past few weeks, the professional 3×3 basketball league, founded by WNBA standouts Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, has been gradually unveiling its player roster for the upcoming season. In a previous statement, the league declared its 48-woman roster would be announced by October 1, 2025. However, a new statement from the league’s general manager, Clare Duwelius, has only fueled concern, as she revealed the league is still in “productive negotiations” with a few players, leaving Reese’s status in question.
According to a previous report from The Blast, Unrivaled’s inaugural season was a massive success, featuring many noteworthy players, from Stewart to her New York Liberty teammate Sabrina Ionescu.
Reese, who played for the ROSE BC, was also a major part of Unrivaled’s first-season storyline, driving engagement and conversation while dominating on the court.
Her participation in season 2 seemed like a given, so as other players continue to fill the league’s roster spots, the concern among her fans has grown, leading them to wonder what the holdup might be.
“No Angel Reese, no Unrivaled for me,” a user wrote, while another posted, “If Angel Reese not in Unrivaled, I’M NOT watching. So, let’s hope she in that final spot.”
It’s safe to say that the Unrivaled front office has heard the concerns of Reese’s loyal fan base, prompting the league’s general manager, Duwelius, to issue a statement regarding the final two roster spots.
“We couldn’t be more excited about the incredible talent we’ve added so far in addition to our returning athletes heading into Season 2. We know you all were eager to learn who would be joining us this year and we wanted to give you as much information as possible ahead of more big news tomorrow in Philadelphia,” they said in a statement sent to The Blast.
“A few of the players we’re in productive negotiations with just need a little extra time — and we’re all about giving our athletes the space to make big decisions on their own terms. That means we’ve still got two roster spots, and we can’t wait to share who will be filling them soon. Thank you all for the continued enthusiasm and support for Unrivaled and our amazing players. It’s what makes this league so special.”
The statement, which was also shared on social media, did little to calm fans’ nerves, as more users rushed to X to express their worries about whether the LSU alum would return for a second go at the Unrivaled championship.
“So, basically, my GOAT ain’t signed yet?” someone posted, to which another added, “You’re wasting our time. Barbie or no Unrivaled. Let us know now?”
And the concern didn’t end there; another user chimed in, writing, “Angel Reese better be one of them 2, bruh. I can’t go that long without AR5 hoops.”
“I feel like my emotions are being played with. Is AR5 playing or naw?” another anxious user asked, leading a fifth to question, “Is my demon Angel coming back or no?”
During her first year with Unrivaled, Reese had an especially productive and efficient season, leading the league in rebounds with 12.1 per game while also leading her team in blocked shots.
Her performance earned her the first-ever Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award after receiving the “most combined weighted votes from Unrivaled players and coaches, as well as a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters,” according to a previous report from The Blast.
“Reese was the anchor all season for the best scoring defense in Unrivaled, allowing 65.2 points per game.”
While fans and spectators await the league’s announcement regarding its final two roster spots, they can celebrate some good news, such as Unrivaled’s total valuation reaching $340 million, leading to more resources and support for players, including an additional 15,000 square feet for player facilities and a further 150 seats in the game arena.
For its second season, Unrivaled will also welcome two new teams: Breeze BC and Hive BC.
“Expanding a year earlier than planned is a testament to the strong business model weve built and the potential Unrivaled has for long-term success,” said Luke Cooper, Unrivaled President of Basketball. We outperformed every goal we set for the league in year one, and with the incredible talent we have returning paired with the influx of new stars, it was a no brainer to add two more clubs this season.