Caitlin Clark accepts ‘Messi-like offer,’ Sabrina Ionescu joins – Unrivaled’s dream

The Unrivaled basketball league is set to launch in January and has already signed up a number of the world’s best players – but there’s still additions to be made to the roster

The Unrivaled basketball league gears up for its tip-off season next year, and a number of fresh faces could yet be added to the roster.

The three-on-three division promises to be a game-changer for women’s basketball and is co-founded by WNBA sensations Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. Set to start in January, it’s already creating a buzz with each of the 36 players participating guaranteed six-figure salaries.

This breakthrough could completely shake up the WNBA off-season routine, providing a lucrative alternative to playing overseas. Six spots remain open, with choices aplenty for Stewart and Collier, but the following three signings would be ideal for the Unrivaled league.

Caitlin Clark

Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark made waves in her opening stint with Indiana Fever this season, catapulting them into the playoffs and smashing the single-season assists record. At just 22, Clark hinted at a restful off-season but has piqued interest with her reaction to a ‘Lionel Messi-like’ offer from Unrivaled league, saying: “We’ll see. ‘I don’t know. Just taking it as it goes, and see if I want to play eventually.”

Clark, among the WNBA’s luminary figures, would surely light up the games slated for Miami. Alex Bazzell, president of Unrivaled, has made their stance clear, stating: “We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark. We’re not applying a full-court press the way people think. We are letting her decompress from basketball. She knows that we have a spot for her when she’s ready.”

Sabrina Ionescu

Ionescu will undoubtedly be right near the top of Unrivaled’s wishlist ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Sabrina Ionescu, fresh off leading the New York Liberty to their maiden WNBA title, could make an excellent addition to Unrivaled. With the league recently increasing its player roster to 36 and Ionescu having the WNBA’s third highest-selling jersey, it’s a move that would make sense for all parties.

Little buzz has surrounded Ionescu’s potential entry into the 3v3 league, likely due to an injury she sustained during the WNBA finals. Ionescu will be hoping for a rapid recovery, while Unrivaled stands as an enticing prospect for players across the board – now boasting the best average salary in American women’s sports.

Unrivaled’s financial success was underscored by co-founder Collier, who revealed: “We exceeded our financial projections, which means we get to expand sooner than expected and offer more spots to deserving players in Unrivaled. Women’s sports are in an amazing moment, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support that has helped make this possible.”

A’ja Wilson

A’ja Wilson has similarly explained she wants a quiet off season like Clark (A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, a three-time WNBA MVP, has so far opted out of participating in Unrivaled’s debut season. Wilson’s absence is certainly felt, but she hasn’t completely shut the door on the possibility.

“Interested? I’m not going to completely cut it out, because you never know,” she admitted. “But I will not be in Unrivaled this year. I think that kind of squashes a lot of [speculation] people kept tagging me.”

“But I love what it’s doing for my team-mates, and it’s creating another avenue for players to play and stay in America. But I will not be doing that. I will be chilling.”