Unequalled — the brand new skilled ladies’s 3-on-3 basketball leagues — is about to tip off on Friday, and the basketball neighborhood is raring to tune in to observe 36 of the world’s finest WNBA gamers compete, an inventory that features Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, and Brittney Griner.
The roster is usually product of multiple-time All-Stars and Olympic gamers — embellished gamers within the primes of their careers — however there’s a handful of much less achieved gamers with huge potential.
Unequalled president Alex Bazzell advised SB Nation that by way of the primary week of preseason motion, there’s been a shock standout: Los Angeles Sparks ahead Rae Burrell.
“Rae Burrell has form of been off the charts early,” Bazzell mentioned. “To not say she’s not additionally an important participant within the WNBA. It’s why she’s right here. We focused one of the best of one of the best. However I believe this recreation is even additional constructed for her versatility, and her size, and her talent stage.”
Burrell, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the No. 9 choose in 2022, has been a strong bench participant in her first three seasons. This previous season, she averaged 5.9 factors and 1.8 rebounds in 15.6 minutes off the bench for the Sparks this previous season. In faculty, Burrell averaged 10.3 factors as one in all Tennessee’s high gamers, capturing 34.1% from three-point vary.
However, whereas she’s proven flashes of potential, Burrell solely scored within the double-digits six occasions final season. To date by way of the early days of Unequalled, she’s exceeded that manufacturing.
“She’s always in conversations within the coach’s workplace like, ‘Wow, we didn’t notice she was going to be this impactful this early — as a result of she’s additionally a reasonably younger participant,” Bazzell mentioned of the 24-year-old.
Burrell is a member of the Vinyl membership, which additionally contains Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream), Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever), Jordin Canada (Atlanta Dream), and Dearica Hamby (Sparks). That staff is coached by WNBA legend Teresa Weatherspoon, who most not too long ago served as the pinnacle coach of the Chicago Sky earlier than being dismissed after her first season.
The three-on-3 full-court is a novel idea — and one which hasn’t ever been professionalized on this style. As such, there might very nicely be gamers who disproportionately thrive on this atmosphere greater than they traditionally have within the WNBA.
“There’s gamers that this recreation is simply form of constructed for them. The spacing, the tempo — having versatility in 3-on-3 is admittedly necessary,” Bazzell mentioned. “The WNBA is a really bodily recreation. So, I believe what you’re seeing right here is you don’t must be the strongest participant, you don’t must be the largest participant, however you need to be versatile. These gamers who’re sooner, can deal with it, can shoot it, can guard — there’s a number of gamers I believe are actually going to face out on this league much more than others.”
Burrell, talking on the Pull Up podcast final month, mentioned she’s beforehand performed 3-on-3 full court docket and cherished it.
“I really actually, actually loved it. It simply is the area, and the whole lot, and the downhill, and the quick tempo of it,” she mentioned. “It’s simply one thing that I actually take pleasure in, and the kind of play that I wish to play.”
For episode 49 of Pull Up, Rae Burrell (@Raehoops) of the Los Angeles Sparks joined me and Owen to share her pleasure for the upcoming Unequalled season. On this clip under, she talks about her distinctive expertise enjoying full-court three-on-three hoops. pic.twitter.com/mTIjJZsvD8
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) December 19, 2024
And, whereas the preseason content material has been light-hearted — gamers and opponents alike are teaming as much as create TikToks and social media reels — Bazzell confused that the primary week was marked by intense competitors.
“I believe what individuals don’t notice is simply how aggressive this recreation goes to be,” he mentioned. “After watching the preseason video games, simply how severe the golf equipment and the gamers are taking it — these gamers are going at it. You see gamers who’re on WNBA groups which might be getting chippy with each other as a result of they simply wish to win.”
