Top 3 Rookies Signing with Unrivaled and What It Means for the League

The Unrivaled league, a player-founded 3-on-3 women’s basketball platform co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, is quickly becoming ground zero for fresh WNBA talent to expand their game, income, and influence beyond the traditional offseason paths. In its second season (set to begin in January 2026), three standout rookies from the WNBA class of 2025 have already committed to Unrivaled — and their involvement underscores how the league is reshaping the economics and opportunities for young women’s basketball players.

1. Paige Bueckers

Perhaps the most high-profile of the trio, Paige Bueckers was the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year after an outstanding college career at UConn. She has not only signed a three-year deal with Unrivaled but also holds an investment stake in the league.

Her deal with Unrivaled is particularly eye-opening when compared with her WNBA rookie contract: her first‐year salary with Unrivaled will exceed what she’ll make across her entire four‐year WNBA rookie scale deal. Moreover, Unrivaled offers average salaries in the ballpark of $220,000+ for players, plus equity opportunities, world-class amenities, and health/wellness benefits.

2. Sonia Citron

Sonia Citron, selected in the 2025 WNBA rookie class, is signed to join Unrivaled for its 2026 season. She’s one of the “top 3” rookies the league has targeted. Her inclusion marks a trend: Unrivaled is extending its reach beyond just marquee names to promising talent who can bring scoring, efficiency, sharp shooting, and fresh storylines. While less has been reported about the precise financials of her deal, her presence signals Unrivaled’s intention to build depth among rookie talent.

3. Kiki Iriafen

The third member of the rookie trio is Kiki Iriafen, another 2025 WNBA rookie who is joining Unrivaled for 2026. She, too, stood out during her rookie WNBA season in terms of efficiency and field goal percentage among her class. Her decision to play for Unrivaled reflects the league drawing from across the rookie ranks, not just the most hyped stars, giving young players multiple platforms to grow.

Angel Reese and Others: From Player to Investor

While Angel Reese is not among the “top 3” rookies discussed above, her role in Unrivaled is important and illustrative. Reese, who was a WNBA rookie for the Chicago Sky, joined Unrivaled as a player and is now also involved in investor or equity circles associated with the league.

Her involvement is significant for several reasons:

• It underlines how Unrivaled is structured to allow players to have ownership or equity stakes in the league, not just participation. Reese publicly commented on the value of being part of a league that offers more than just a paycheck.
• It sets a precedent for rookies and young players to think of their careers more broadly — as athletes and stakeholders.
• It also strengthens the credibility and appeal of Unrivaled: when well-known names like Reese are invested (literally or figuratively) in its success, it helps attract attention, sponsorship, and legitimacy.

Why This Matters

The signing of Bueckers, Citron, and Iriafen among others by Unrivaled shows a shifting landscape in women’s basketball in the U.S.:

• Economic Alternatives: Players now have viable, high-paying options in the United States during the WNBA offseason, instead of going overseas, which often comes with more uncertainty.
• Ownership and Equity: Deals are no longer just about salaries. Young athletes are getting equity, ownership, or NIL deals, giving them a stake in the growth of new leagues like Unrivaled.
• Talent & Growth: The quality of play, marketing, and intrigue around these new signings is helping Unrivaled grow fast — in revenue, valuation, and visibility.

Conclusion

Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, and Kiki Iriafen mark a foundational class of WNBA rookies aligning themselves with Unrivaled — not just for the opportunity to compete, but to reshape what a person’s career in women’s professional basketball can look like. And with Angel Reese (among others) bringing investor-energy and equity involvement, Unrivaled is staking a claim as more than just an offseason gig. It’s becoming a serious ecosystem where the players have both voice and ownership, and where what you make off the court can rival — or even exceed — what you make on it.