Unrivaled Thrives with Record Crowd, Playoff Road Trip, Angel Reese's Return

Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier discusses the 3-on-3 league's growth in Season 2, including the return of star player Angel Reese.

Feb. 28, 2026 at 11:23am

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In a interview with USA TODAY, Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier discussed the league's expansion and success in its second season, including a record-breaking crowd in Philadelphia, the announcement of playoff games at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and the return of star player Angel Reese. Collier also highlighted Unrivaled's focus on building player brands through broadcasting opportunities.

Why it matters

Unrivaled's growth and success in its second season underscores the rising popularity of women's basketball and the league's innovative approach to elevating the sport and its players. The record-breaking crowd in Philadelphia and the increased prize pool for the playoffs demonstrate the league's ability to attract new fans and invest in its players.

The details

Unrivaled expanded from six to eight teams in Season 2, adding more players and taking the league to additional markets. The highlight was a sold-out doubleheader in Philadelphia on January 30th that set a record for the most attended regular-season professional women's basketball game, with 21,490 fans at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Following this success, Unrivaled announced its postseason semifinals would be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on March 2, and increased the championship prize pool to $600,000. Additionally, the league welcomed back star player Angel Reese, the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, who had originally opted not to play in Season 2.

  • On January 30, Unrivaled held a sold-out doubleheader in Philadelphia that set a record for the most attended regular-season professional women's basketball game.
  • On March 2, Unrivaled will host its postseason semifinals at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
  • On February 20, Angel Reese will return to play for the Rose team in Unrivaled after originally opting not to play in Season 2.

The players

Napheesa Collier

The co-founder of Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women's basketball league that is expanding and attracting record crowds in its second season.

Angel Reese

A star player in Unrivaled who was the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year and is returning to the league after originally opting not to play in Season 2.

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What they’re saying

“It just shows the interest and how women's basketball is on the rise, Collier told USA TODAY Sports while promoting a partnership with Unrivaled and Icy Hot.”

— Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled Co-Founder

“Angel [Reese], she's, obviously, a young player, a really well-known player and someone who did really well last year. Her team won. To have her back on the Rose is awesome. She's just been such a huge addition to Unrivaled, and so, even though it's only the end of the season, we're happy to have her.”

— Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled Co-Founder

What’s next

The Unrivaled postseason semifinals will be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on March 2, with the championship prize pool increased to $600,000.

The takeaway

Unrivaled's success in its second season, including record crowds, an expanded playoff, and the return of a star player, demonstrates the growing popularity of women's basketball and the league's innovative approach to elevating the sport and its players through unique broadcasting opportunities and building personal brands.