Angel Reese, one of basketball’s most electrifying young talents, hasn’t even made her debut in the much-anticipated Unrivaled basketball league, and yet she’s already calling for reinforcements—but not for rebounding or defense. Nope, Reese and her star-studded team are desperate for help in…spades. Yes, the card game.
With the league tipping off on January 17, Reese is joining the Rose Basketball Club, coached by the sharp-minded Nola Henry and stacked with a roster that reads like an All-Star ballot: Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Azura Stevens, Brittney Sykes, and a mystery wildcard yet to be unveiled. You’d think the focus would be all about on-court chemistry and game strategy. But apparently, the real competition brewing involves face cards, not shot charts.
“Somebody, Anybody, Teach Us Spades”
In a hilariously candid moment, Phoenix Mercury standout Kahleah Copper took to X (formerly Twitter) to air the team’s collective humiliation over their inability to play the card game spades—a cultural rite of passage in basketball circles. “Please somebody teach us in Miami cause it’s embarrassing atp,” Copper posted, tagging Reese, who enthusiastically replied, “I second this!”
Dearica Hamby, of the rival Vinyl BC squad, swooped in like a seasoned pro to offer her mentorship. “I got y’all,” Hamby quipped, turning what could have been friendly trash talk into an impromptu spades tutorial.
The viral exchange showcased a lighter side of the competitive sports world, as fans weighed in with equal parts advice and side-eye. “Why y’all playin’ spades in the first place if y’all don’t know the rules?” one commenter joked, while others eagerly suggested YouTube tutorials as a quick fix.
Cards, Competition, and Clownery
The bond between players off the court is as much a part of basketball culture as buzzer-beaters and highlight reels. Whether it’s spades, poker, or blackjack, card games often become battlegrounds of wit and strategy during downtime, offering players a chance to relax, banter, and forge connections. In this case, the Rose Basketball Club’s apparent ineptitude at spades has become an unexpected subplot ahead of Unrivaled’s inaugural season.
For Reese, Copper, and company, this playful distraction couldn’t come at a better time. With six squads stacked with talent, the Unrivaled league—brainchild of WNBA superstars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier—promises intense competition. But amid all the basketball hype, it’s these quirky moments of camaraderie that remind fans why they love the sport.
All Eyes on January 17—and the Card Table
As Reese gears up for her first season in this groundbreaking league, fans are left wondering: will she and her teammates master spades before their Miami training camp ends? Or will they stumble into the new season with as much confusion over trump cards as defensive switches?
One thing’s certain—whether they’re dominating on the hardwood or fumbling with their hands at the card table, the Rose Basketball Club is already making headlines. And if they ever figure out how to play spades, well, the championship trophy might just come with a deck of cards.
