College basketball star Paige Bueckers just became the ultimate hype woman for the groundbreaking 3×3 basketball league, Unrivaled. With her Instagram post turning heads faster than a buzzer-beater, fans, players, and, most notably, Alex Bazzell—husband to WNBA star Napheesa Collier—are buzzing.
Bueckers’ Bold Move
On Thursday, Bueckers shared a photo of herself rocking a sleek black hoodie that screamed, “The Future is Unrivaled.” Her caption? Short, sharp, and dripping with swagger:
“The future starts tomorrow 🙌🏻.”
Naturally, the Unrivaled president himself, Alex Bazzell, didn’t hold back, leaving a trail of three fire emojis in her comments section. Because why say anything when emojis can do the job? Move over, Shakespeare; we’ve got digital hieroglyphics.
What’s Unrivaled, Anyway?
For those still scratching their heads about Unrivaled, here’s the lowdown: Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart co-founded this 3×3 basketball league to revolutionize the professional basketball scene. Think of it as the WNBA’s cooler, shorter, and sassier cousin.
In the past, WNBA players spent their offseasons schlepping overseas to earn extra dough. But Unrivaled? It’s the ultimate work-from-home gig—minus the sweatpants. Players can now stay stateside, rake in cash, and ball out in Miami, Florida, instead of Siberia. A win-win, right?
Inaugural Matchup: Collier vs. Stewart
Today marks the league’s curtain-raiser, with Collier’s Lunar Owls squaring off against Stewart’s Mist BC. It’s like Marvel’s Avengers, except everyone here actually wins.
Reality TV or Real Basketball?
Of course, no trailblazing league escapes a little side-eye. Some critics have cheekily dismissed Unrivaled as a basketball-themed reality show, sparking a heated clap-back from Alex Bazzell.
“Sports is an entertainment environment,” Bazzell told Sports Illustrated. “This isn’t a gimmick. We’re not here just trying to do clickbait stuff.” Translation: This isn’t The Bachelor—it’s a league where top-tier athletes go to flex their skills.
The president also emphasized the league’s commitment to player development, effectively silencing the peanut gallery. “Until people see the product, it’s all assumptions. If you’re inside the building, the focus is on making players better,” Bazzell said.
Star-Studded Roster
Unrivaled isn’t pulling any punches, having already signed big names like Angel Reese, Kahleah Cooper, Aliyah Boston, and DiJonai Carrington. The league will run until March 10, delivering a high-octane, no-nonsense alternative to the traditional offseason grind.
What’s Next?
With Bueckers hyping the league, Bazzell dropping emojis, and fans gearing up for some serious 3×3 action, Unrivaled is set to bring a fresh twist to basketball. If you thought women’s hoops couldn’t get any better, think again.
So buckle up, basketball fans—the future isn’t just Unrivaled; it’s here, and it’s setting the court on fire.