MIAMI – The second season of the winter 3x3 women’s basketball league Unrivaled came to a close on Wednesday with the Mist, led by one of its co-founders Breanna Stewart, taking the championship. They defeated the Phantom, 80-74, in a bit of a controversial fashion as Stewart made the game-winning free throw after an overturned call that changed a charge into a blocking foul by Tiffany Hayes.
The Phantom were led by Kelsey Plum with 40 points, who had an incredible first season in the league. That was recognized as she was named to the league’s First Team.
Sparks fans had plenty of reason to watch the league as six players from last year’s roster were participating. Let’s see how each one did.
KELSEY PLUM (PHANTOM): Plum was third in the league in both scoring (22.6 points per game) and assists (5.0 per). She helped engineer a turnaround for the Phantom as the team went from last place (4-10) to first (11-3). Plum left an indelible mark with that 40-burger in that title game but ultimately fell short in the end.
A 3x3 gold medalist in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, people got to see Plum at the peak of her powers. She tied with Stewart with the most game-winners in the league with six.
DEARICA HAMBY (VINYL): Hamby had an early 40-point game, which was the most points in an Unrivaled game (until a certain crashout queen scored 47 in Philadelphia). She was a bit more up and down this season but when the Vinyl needed her, she came through. She scored 25 points and the game-winning lay-up against the Laces in the first round of the playoffs and then put in 30 against the Phantom in a losing effort in the semifinals.
Hamby averaged 17.1 points and 8.1 boards in her second season with the Vinyl.
RICKEA JACKSON (BREEZE): Jackson went to a new team (the Breeze) for this season. She showed a lot more of her defensive prowess this season as well as other facets of her game. Jackson (14.9 points per game) had two double-doubles in the points/rebounds variety (she averaged 6.0 rebounds per game) and even showed off some nice playmaking (2.8 assists per, including seven against her former team, the Mist). She did miss a few games due to personal reasons but when she came back, it's like she didn't miss a beat.
The former Lady Vol could take her game to the next level if she hits the boards and makes those passes on a consistent basis. She is definitely capable of that.
CAMERON BRINK (BREEZE): Brink joined her draft classmate in the Breeze. She came off the bench, playing behind Dominique Malonga. Her impact defensively cannot be denied. While still susceptible to fouling, Brink altered a lot of shots and was second in blocks per game (1.8) this season. She also averaged 10.9 points, including a 21-point effort against the Mist late in the season.
The talent is obviously there. The challenge for Brink continues to be about staying on the floor.
RAE BURRELL (VINYL): For the second straight year, Burrell (12.8 PPG) looked like the most intriguing player in the league. Pushed to the starting line-up, Burrell showed she deserved a bigger role. Her last three games saw her average 25.7 points per game as she was an unstoppable force in all three levels of scoring.
Where Burrell will be next season in the W is anyone’s guess. But she looks ready for prime time more than ever and will be an impact player wherever she lands.
AZURÁ STEVENS (HIVE): She started off hot for the defending champion Rose before injuries slowed her down. Stevens would get dealt to the Hive, where she scored a season-best 20 points against her former team. She would sit out the rest of the campaign after that game.
Stevens played 10 games and averaged 10.8 points per contest.
All the ’25 Sparks players did well in a 3x3 format. Most of them should be back in L.A. this coming season (whenever that would be). And should they m Sparks look like a very intriguing team that could be ready for a postseason run.