Why Angel Reese is not playing in Unrivaled’s second season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 48-player list of Unrivaled players was unveiled Thursday, as the popular offseason 3-on-3 league gears up for its second season with two new teams and the addition of a six-player development squad.
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The second season of Unrivaled begins Jan. 5 and will run into March, with many WNBA stars — like Paige Bueckers, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas — taking part as labor negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement continue with the WNBPA.
Unrivaled has rapidly ascended as a premier offseason destination for players who do not want to play overseas in between WNBA seasons. The league, founded by Collier and Stewart, has attracted big names already, even though players like Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson have eluded them. And while most of the 2025 season’s roster returned for 2026, Angel Reese notably opted not to participate after playing for Rose BC in Unrivaled’s debut season.
Why isn’t Reese playing in Unrivaled again?
Reese struggled through a back injury for much of the 2025 WNBA season. In the league’s longest regular season to date, the All-Star forward was limited to 30 games as her Chicago Sky limped to a 10-34 record.
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In order to heal up fully in advance of the 2026 season, Reese will not play in Unrivaled between January and March. Despite missing out on a salary greater than what she earns in the WNBA, Reese will not be hurting financially; the 23-year-old is already worth millions and recently made history by walking for Victoria’s Secret at the lingerie giant’s most recent Fashion Show in New York City.
Though she was an important piece — and a major coup — in Unrivaled’s debut season this past January, Reese is choosing to sit this one out. That said, the Sky star could be tempted to return to the league in 2027 if its growth continues in year two.
