For years, Aces star Chelsea Gray has kept the habit of competing overseas during the WNBA offseason.
She would compete for teams in Turkey, Spain, and Israel as a means to not only evolve her game, supplement her income, and travel the world.
While just making 30 years old and winning a championship in Turkey, Gray thought about her next career move.
In playing overseas, she realized she missed her family and possibly missed out on brand deals.
Gray was approached by executives two years ago who were looking to start up a women’s basketball league in the U.S. She was interested and became the first non-founding player selected to play in the league.
“(Unrivaled) changes the game, being able to make money while still being here, being with our family. It’s been cool that it’s come to be what it is.” Gray said.
The new modified 3-on-3 league is co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. It has attracted many of the WNBA’s top talent, such as Gray, who opted out of playing overseas this offseason.
The new league made its debut on Friday, debuting six teams, including Angel Reese, Brittney Griner, Jewel Lloyd, and fellow Aces player Jackie Young.
Regarding the new league’s relevancy, co-founder Brianna Stewart said, “(We were) trying to make women’s basketball continue to be relevant in the offseason from a professional standpoint and be a way where people can build their brands.”
This is only the beginning of the Unrivaled League. Players are optimistic that this will be a positive offseason routine for them to continue thriving in women’s basketball.
