Unrivaled’s first season this past winter enjoyed a lot of success. Led by veteran WNBA stars such as Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Jackie Young, Arike Ogunbowale, and Skylar Diggins, the new 3-on-3 league drew in tons of fans. Young stars like Angel Reese and Rickea Jackson also heavily contributed to Unrivaled’s success.
In fact, the league did so well in its first season that it was able to add two teams and several roster spots ahead of season two. The second season will once again feature a lot of veteran star power, such as Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Stewart, Young, Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Mitchell, and Kelsey Plum. There has also been an influx of young talent, though. Rickea Jackson, Kate Martin, and Aaliyah Edwards will all be back for a second season while Paige Bueckers, Saniya Rivers, Sonia Citron, Veronica Burton, Kiki Iriafen, Cameron Brink, and Maddy Siegrist will make their Unrivaled debuts.
If recent rumors are true, Unrivaled’s second season might also feature one of the most exciting international youngsters in the game: Dominique Malonga.
Dominique Malonga is rumored to join Unrivaled this winter
French teen phenom Dominique Malonga originally signed a three-year contract with the Turkish EuroLeague powerhouse Fenerbahçe. However, it was recently reported that she pulled out of that contract and rumors immediately connected her to Unrivaled. Those rumors haven’t been confirmed yet.
Playing in Europe for a team filled with proven veterans would have been a great opportunity for Malonga. Playing in Unrivaled wouldn’t be any less of a great learning opportunity, though. Going to Miami would allow Malonga to constantly be surrounded by WNBA players, including some of the most decorated veterans in the league, and expand her game. The fast-paced 3-on-3 style in Unrivaled creates a lot of space for players to work on their offensive game and forces them to be actively involved in every action.
Azura Stevens noted late in the Sparks’ regular season that playing in Unrivaled helped her expand her offensive game and led to her career season in the WNBA for those very reasons. It should also help with Malonga’s development.
For Unrivaled, signing Malonga would also be a home run. It’s no secret that young stars impact viewership numbers. While Angel Reese won’t be playing in Unrivaled this winter, Bueckers, Citron, Rivers, Brink, and Iriafen offer tons of exciting young talent and star power. Malonga would add another young star in the making to the mix while also potentially drawing in fans from Europe, France specifically, and providing the ever-exciting prospect of some dunks.