Unmatched — the brand new skilled girls’s 3-on-3 basketball leagues — is ready to tip off on Friday, and the basketball group is keen to tune in to look at 36 of the world’s greatest WNBA gamers compete, a listing that features Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, and Brittney Griner.
The roster is generally manufactured from multiple-time All-Stars and Olympic gamers — adorned gamers within the primes of their careers — however there’s a handful of much less completed gamers with huge potential.
Unmatched president Alex Bazzell informed SB Nation that by way of the primary week of preseason motion, there’s been a shock standout: Los Angeles Sparks ahead Rae Burrell.
“Rae Burrell has type of been off the charts early,” Bazzell stated. “To not say she’s not additionally an important participant within the WNBA. It’s why she’s right here. We focused one of the best of one of the best. However I feel this sport is even additional constructed for her versatility, and her size, and her talent stage.”
Burrell, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 9 decide in 2022, has been a stable bench participant in her first three seasons. This previous season, she averaged 5.9 factors and 1.8 rebounds in 15.6 minutes off the bench for the Sparks this previous season. In school, Burrell averaged 10.3 factors as one in all Tennessee’s prime gamers, taking pictures 34.1% from three-point vary.
However, whereas she’s proven flashes of potential, Burrell solely scored within the double-digits six occasions final season. To this point by way of the early days of Unmatched, she’s exceeded that manufacturing.
“She’s continuously in conversations within the coach’s workplace like, ‘Wow, we didn’t notice she was going to be this impactful this early — as a result of she’s additionally a fairly younger participant,” Bazzell stated of the 24-year-old.
Burrell is a member of the Vinyl membership, which additionally consists of Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream), Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever), Jordin Canada (Atlanta Dream), and Dearica Hamby (Sparks). That crew is coached by WNBA legend Teresa Weatherspoon, who most just lately served as the pinnacle coach of the Chicago Sky earlier than being dismissed after her first season.
The three-on-3 full-court is a novel idea — and one which hasn’t ever been professionalized on this vogue. As such, there could very effectively be gamers who disproportionately thrive on this surroundings greater than they traditionally have within the WNBA.
“There’s gamers that this sport is simply type of constructed for them. The spacing, the tempo — having versatility in 3-on-3 is admittedly essential,” Bazzell stated. “The WNBA is a really bodily sport. So, I feel what you’re seeing right here is you don’t must be the strongest participant, you don’t must be the most important participant, however you must be versatile. These gamers who’re sooner, can deal with it, can shoot it, can guard — there’s numerous gamers I feel are actually going to face out on this league much more than others.”
Burrell, speaking on the Pull Up podcast final month, stated she’s beforehand performed 3-on-3 full court docket and cherished it.
“I truly actually, actually loved it. It simply is the house, and all the pieces, and the downhill, and the quick tempo of it,” she stated. “It’s simply one thing that I actually get pleasure from, and the kind of play that I wish to play.”
For episode 49 of Pull Up, Rae Burrell (@Raehoops) of the Los Angeles Sparks joined me and Owen to share her pleasure for the upcoming Unmatched season. On this clip beneath, she talks about her distinctive expertise enjoying full-court three-on-three hoops. pic.twitter.com/mTIjJZsvD8
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) December 19, 2024
And, whereas the preseason content material has been light-hearted — gamers and opponents alike are teaming as much as create TikToks and social media reels — Bazzell harassed that the primary week was marked by intense competitors.
“I feel what individuals don’t notice is simply how aggressive this sport goes to be,” he stated. “After watching the preseason video games, simply how critical the golf equipment and the gamers are taking it — these gamers are going at it. You see gamers who’re on WNBA groups which might be getting chippy with each other as a result of they simply need to win.”
