Paige Bueckers took a break from basketball for the first time in nearly a year following the conclusion of the WNBA season with the Dallas Wings on September 11. However, just months later, the former University of Connecticut women’s basketball star is back on the court in Miami, gearing up for her debut in the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled.
After winning a national title with the Huskies and adapting to her rookie season as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Bueckers could have opted out of playing in the offseason. Instead, she chose to stay active in Unrivaled, a league founded by fellow college stars Brianna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. Unrivaled offers players the chance to compete in the U.S. between WNBA seasons. Bueckers was the first college athlete to sign a NIL contract with Unrivaled in 2024, securing an equity stake and committing to join the league alongside her pro career.
At Unrivaled’s media day, Bueckers expressed her support for the women paving the way before her and emphasized the importance of keeping fans engaged during the WNBA offseason by showcasing basketball in a new format. This year, she will captain Breeze BC, one of the two new teams in the expanded league, which is growing from 36 to 48 players and adding development players to cover injuries or absences. Breeze BC has one of the youngest rosters, with most players having less than three years of WNBA experience.
Bueckers has a strong background in 3-on-3 basketball, having won a gold medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and multiple titles alongside fellow Unrivaled players. The format, she noted, challenges players differently by emphasizing individual defense and constant rotation without always relying on help.
Napheesa Collier, who suffered an ankle injury last WNBA season, is aiming to return in time for the Unrivaled season starting January 5. Brianna Stewart, another co-founder and captain of Mist BC, is also back after a tough WNBA season marked by injuries but still excelling as New York Liberty’s top scorer.
Other notable players include Aaliyah Edwards, drafted by Collier’s Lunar Owls, and Azura Stevens, who is looking to help Rose BC defend its 2025 championship and continue improving her game, particularly by adding more off-the-dribble moves.
Fan Take: This news highlights the growing appeal of alternative basketball leagues like Unrivaled, offering WNBA players off-season opportunities to stay competitive while expanding fan engagement year-round. For WNBA enthusiasts, it signals a fresh way to witness elite talent thrive and evolve, ultimately raising the profile and popularity of women’s basketball.
