Hive BC did not get off to a good start, losing its first three games to the Mist, Breeze, and Vinyl. One reason for those early struggles was undoubtedly the team’s unfamiliarity with each other and the league. Natisha Hiedeman is the only player on the roster who played in Unrivaled last season. She filled in for several injured players as a relief signing. Saniya Rivers, Sonia Citron, Ezi Magbegor, Kelsey Mitchell, and Monique Billings are completely new to the format.
The talent on the team is undeniable. Mitchell was an MVP candidate in the 2025 WNBA season, Citron was named an All-Star as a rookie, and Rivers immediately established herself as a defensive standout. Magbegor is a great rim protector, Billings’s versatility makes her a valuable big in Unrivaled, and Hiedeman can run an offense off the bench.
When the roster was first announced, Mitchell immediately stood out as the best player on the team and the key to the Hive’s success. With her speed and ability to create shots on all three levels, she promised to be a matchup nightmare in Unrivaled. She finally lived up to those expectations when the Hive handed the Rose their first loss of the season.
Kelsey Mitchell played a great game
Mitchell only played 16.3 minutes against the Rose—the second fewest minutes of her young Unrivaled career—but she finished the game with 24 points on 11-17 shooting, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal. She blew past the Rose’s defense regularly, as Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Lexie Hull struggled to defend her one-on-one.
It was Mitchell’s highest scoring output of the season and her most efficient scoring game. She led her team in scoring and recorded the second-most points in the match. Chelsea Gray (unsurprisingly) led all players with 36 points.
Mitchell wasn’t the only Hive player who put together a great performance, though. Magbegor and Billings held their own against Shakira Austin and Azurá Stevens, combining for 24 points and 18 rebounds. Citron finally found her rhythm and got 14 points. Rivers played her best offensive game yet with 14 points on 6-12 shooting, including 2-3 from three. She also recorded nine rebounds and two blocks. Hiedeman was quiet scoring-wise but led the team in assists.
There’s still plenty of time for the Hive to turn things around
Beating Chelsea Gray and her Rose team was a huge statement. Four games in, Rena Wakama’s team finally looks comfortable in the full-court three-on-three setting and like they understand how to play well together. If that continues, they could quickly shoot up the rankings.
Last season, the Rose started with an abysmal 4-1 record and then went on to win the championship. Having players who can win their one-on-one matchups and score in any situation is often the key to success in Unrivaled. Mitchell looked like that type of player against the Rose, and Citron is a fitting co-star for her.
Between Magbegor, Rivers, and Citron, the Hive’s roster also features some great defenders.