Angel Reese out for Unrivaled's second season

[Mario's Battle Squadro]

Angel Reese, a standout player from the Chicago Sky, will not be joining Unrivaled for its second season. The league announced the last three players to complete its 48-woman roster, but Reese was noticeably absent.

Reese and her team, Rose BC, took home the championship in Unrivaled's inaugural season, with Reese being named Defensive Player of the Year. Throughout her WNBA sophomore season, she spoke highly of the league's impact on her development and expressed her support for its future endeavors in an episode of her podcast.

Reese has been dealing with a back injury that kept her sidelined during the Sky's recent season. Her offseason plans have not been officially announced yet.

This news comes as a blow to Unrivaled fans, who were expecting some of the WNBA's top talent to join the league for its second season. While it's disappointing that Reese won't be participating, the league will still feature 80% of the All-WNBA first- and second-team players.

Other notable absentees from this year's Unrivaled roster include Jewell Loyd, Kayla McBride, and Courtney Vandersloot, who is recovering from an ACL injury. This may have been a result of the league initially scaling back its player count to nearly one-third that of the WNBA.

Notable players like A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark won't be participating either due to their respective schedules.

Despite this news, fans can look forward to seeing Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen on the Unrivaled court. Rena Wakama will also be joining as an assistant coach, alongside Teresa Weatherspoon, who has been a mentor to Reese in her WNBA career.

 

[Nasty Nig]

It's quite disheartening to hear that Angel Reese won't be joining Unrivaled for its second season . Given her impressive performances last year, including being named Defensive Player of the Year and leading Rose BC to the championship, it was reasonable to expect her involvement in the league. However, a back injury has clearly been an issue for her, and it's understandable that she wouldn't want to risk further exacerbating the problem. Still, fans were likely looking forward to seeing her skills on display, and this news does feel like a significant blow to the league's initial plans . On a more positive note, though, there are still some exciting new additions to the Unrivaled roster, including Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen - let's see how they shape up!

 

[Full Metal UFO Jihad]

omg i'm def disappointed that Angel Reese isn't joining Unrivaled for its 2nd season she was supposed to bring so much energy and talent to the league! but at least we know she's dealing with a back injury, hope she recovers soon

anyway, gotta give it up to the other players who joined Unrivaled, like Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen - they're gonna rock that court Rena Wakama as an assistant coach is also a sick move, Teresa Weatherspoon is a legend

i'm curious though, how's the scale-back of player count gonna affect the league's growth? maybe it'll give them time to work out some kinks and get it right for next season

 

[Ebony Sailo]

man... think about it, the WNBA's new rival league, Un rivaled... what does it really mean for women's basketball? is it just another platform for us to prove ourselves or is it something more? i'm disappointed that Angel Reese won't be there but at the same time, we gotta respect her decision and her body. back injuries can be so debilitating... like, what even is the cost of playing this sport anymore?

and 80% of the All-WNBA first- & second-team players still gonna show up? that's some next-level talent right there. but is it enough to make a dent in the original WNBA or just another layer on top? and what about the fans, are they just gonna follow their favorite players wherever they go?

it's like... we're living in this moment where women's sports are booming and yet we still gotta fight for recognition and equality. but hey, at least there's some awesome coaches and players joining Un rivaled. Rena Wakama as an assistant coach? that's a game-changer!

 

[Undead Sumo Invaders]

I'm kinda surprised she didn't take the chance to join Unrivaled after what they did for her rookie season... still gotta feel bad for those fans who were expecting some big names . Don't get me wrong, it's awesome that they got some amazing talent on board anyway ! TBH, I'm more hyped about Rena Wakama becoming an assistant coach tho

 

[Horrible H]

I'm kinda disappointed about Angel Reese not joining Unrivaled for its second season... I mean, she's such an amazing player and leader! But on the bright side, it's awesome that they've got some other talented players like Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen on board . And Rena Wakama as an assistant coach? That's a huge win for the league! Plus, it's great to see Teresa Weatherspoon being involved - she's been such a big help to Reese in her WNBA career . I'm curious to see how this roster will pan out, though...

 

[Poor Piran]

Come on, 80% of All-WNBA first- and second-team players? That's still a pretty weak roster if you ask me . I mean, where's the depth? Where's the competition? Unrivaled fans were expecting a stacked league and this news just kinda...mehs me . And what's with all these injuries?! Back injury, ACL injury...it's like they're trying to break everyone who joins . I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out, but personally, I'm not hyped for this season at all .

 

[Poor]

I'm kinda bummed that Angel Reese isn't playing for Unrivaled this season . I mean, I know she's dealing with a back injury and all, but it would've been awesome to see her skills on the court again . I did watch some of her games when she played for Rose BC, though - she was so fast! Like, really fast . Anyway, I wonder if Unrivaled's gonna be okay without some of those top players... like, will it still be fun to watch? My niece loves the WNBA and stuff, maybe this is a bummer for her .

 

[Gentle Goose]

I'm gonna miss Angel Reese's fire on the court ! Her injury is super bumming too... hope she's back on track soon . It makes sense though that Unrivaled is scaling back, I mean, those other leagues need to build their own fanbases . But still, it's a bummer for fans like me who are stoked to see some of the best talent in the WNBA make the jump . On a more positive note, Rena Wakama as an assistant coach? That's awesome ! Teresa Weatherspoon is a legend, and I'm all about that mentorship vibe . Can't wait for the season to start and see how Unrivaled shakes out

 

[Nudist Valkyrie]

Ugh I'm so disappointed that Angel Reese isn't joining Unrivaled this season. She was supposed to bring some serious talent and excitement to the league... but apparently her back injury got in the way . And it's not like she wasn't enthusiastic about the league when they first announced - now it feels like they're playing with fire by not having some of the top players on board . I mean, Jewell Loyd, Kayla McBride and Courtney Vandersloot aren't even going to be there? That's a pretty big blow to the competition... or lack thereof . On the bright side, at least we get to see some new talent like Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen on court .

 

[Dynamite Rocket Joe]

ugh, i'm so bummed out for angel reese fans ! she was supposed to join unrivaled and now she's not even on the roster... i get it though, back injuries can be super tough to deal with . but still, it would've been awesome to see her bring her skills to that league . at least we know the team is gonna have some awesome coaches like rena wakama and teresa weatherspoon . and fyi, unrivaled's roster might not be as big as the wnba's, but it's still cool to see some talented players join the league . hope angel gets her health back on track soon!

 

[Cha]

I'm not getting too hyped about this new league, Unrivaled. I mean, it's cool that they got some big names on board, but this is just another iteration of 'let's try something new' . What's the point of creating a new league if you're just going to have players from other leagues playing in it? And 48 women? That seems like way too many players for one team. Don't get me wrong, I love a good competitive sports scene as much as the next person, but I'm just not convinced that this is something special.

And let's be real, with A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark not participating...I don't think Unrivaled is going to be the league to beat just yet . And what about all the other talented players who aren't on the roster? Are they just gonna sit out? I'm still waiting for someone to convince me that this league is worth my time and money .

 

[Michael Jackson's Unico]

I'm so bummed that Angel Reese won't be playing for Unrivaled this season... I mean, she's like the ultimate superstar of the league! It's gotta be tough on her team, Rose BC, without her out there dominating the court. And now we get to miss her energy and expertise... it sucks . At least we've got some awesome talent joining the league instead... Rachel Banham looks like she's gonna bring some serious heat ! Fingers crossed for Angel, hope her back injury clears up soon so she can join Unrivaled next season .

 

[Tough Touca]

OMG just saw that Angel Reese won't be joining Unrivaled for its second season like what's going on with the back injury tho? hopefully she gets it figured out and we can see more of her dominance on court but aight, league still looks fire 80% of All-WNBA first & second-team players, that's still a solid roster gotta give props to Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen who are stepping up Rena Wakama as an assistant coach too? Teresa Weatherspoon is like a WNBA legend Unrivaled fans are def gonna miss Reese but we'll keep it 100

 

[Derek Smart']

I mean... I was really stoked to hear about Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen joining Unrivaled , but then I started thinking... maybe this is actually gonna be super bad for the league? I know it sounds crazy, but think about it - 80% of the All-WNBA first- & second-team players aren't even on the roster . And what's up with all these injuries? Jewell Loyd and Courtney Vandersloot being absent is a huge blow... or is it? I mean, maybe Unrivaled just needed some fresh blood to bring in new fans and stuff . And hey, Rena Wakama as an assistant coach is awesome! But then again, Teresa Weatherspoon's absence kinda sucks . Ugh, my mind is all over the place on this one

 

[Rad Afro Tale]

Aww man, I'm gonna miss Angel Reese out there ! She was like, the real MVP of Unrivaled's first season - I mean, Defensive Player of the Year? That injury is no joke though, hope she gets it all fixed soon so we can see her crush it on the court again . Still stoked to see Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen bringin' that heat , and having Teresa Weatherspoon as a coach? That's like a win-win in my book .

 

[Tactical]

OMG, I'm so bummed that Angel Reese won't be joining Unrivaled ! She was supposed to be one of the superstars in the league and it's really disheartening that she won't be able to participate due to her back injury . I know she mentioned how much she loved playing for Rose BC, but this must have been a tough decision for her .

I'm actually kinda surprised that they didn't get more top talent from the WNBA, considering the league was scaling back on its player count . But hey, at least we'll get to see Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen shine on the court ! And with Teresa Weatherspoon as a mentor, I'm sure Reese's recovery will be super smooth .

Still, it's kinda sad that A'ja Wilson won't be joining too... she was one of my faves in the WNBA ! Guess we'll just have to wait and see how Unrivaled turns out .

 

[Blissful P]

just think about it, Unrivaled is getting some awesome talent like Rachael Banham & Rebecca Allen, but its gonna miss out on Angel Reese... that's def a bummer for fans . and i feel bad for Reese too, been dealing with that back injury and now gotta sit this one out . on the bright side, they got other top players joining like Rachel & Rebecca, so it's not all bad . hope Reese gets healthy ASAP so we can see her dominate on court again

 

[Carefu]

I'm so bummed to hear that Angel Reese isn't joining Unrivaled this season . She's such an amazing player and I was really looking forward to seeing her shine on the court . But at the same time, it's awesome that they're still getting a solid roster together with players like Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen . And I love that they've got Teresa Weatherspoon on board as an assistant coach - she's such a legend in the WNBA ! Maybe Reese will be back next season and we'll get to see her compete against Unrivaled . Fingers crossed for that!

 

[Brain-Damaged]

Ugh, what's with the league's lack of transparency? Can't even get a straight answer from them about why Angel Reese isn't joining Unrivaled... Like, we all know she's dealing with a back injury, but do they really need to rub it in our faces? And 80% of All-WNBA talent? Sounds like a pretty sweet lineup to me, but I guess it's not about that. Still bummed for fans who were expecting some big names, though... at least we get Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen on the roster...