As the New Year unfolds, excitement is brewing for the commencement of another extraordinary season of Unrivaled in Miami.
Unrivaled, a league co-founded by standout players Napheesa Collier from the Minnesota Lynx and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, is set to kick off its second season on January 5th, following a highly successful inaugural run last summer.
This innovative 3-on-3 league captivates fans with its fast-paced gameplay and engaging format, providing thrilling entertainment during the WNBA offseason. Notably, the league is expanding from six teams to eight in 2026, promising to deliver even more star-studded action on the courts of Florida.
For the Lynx, four players were initially slated to participate in this upcoming season; however, three of them will be ready to hit the ground running when the games begin. Alanna Smith, along with the dynamic duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman from the StudBudz, will be competing in the Unrivaled season. Regrettably, Collier, one of the four original Lynx representatives, will be unable to play as she recuperates from surgery (more details on that shortly).
As we gear up for this exciting Unrivaled season, let’s take a closer look at how the Lynx are shaping up and what fans can expect in the coming months.
Alanna Smith
In a significant change, Smith will experience her first offseason as a professional player in the United States instead of overseas, a departure from her usual playing destinations such as Australia, China, Poland, and Turkey. This year marks her debut in the Unrivaled league. Smith will join forces with notable players like Allisha Gray, Breanna Stewart, Veronica Burton, Arike Ogunbowale, and Li Yueru as part of The Mist team. They are set to face off against one of Unrivaled’s new teams, The Hive, in the opening match on January 5th.
Courtney Williams
Returning for her second season in Unrivaled, Williams, who is one half of the StudBudz, was among the initial group of 32 players that launched the league last year. After a stint with the Lunar Owls during the previous season, she will now suit up for Team Vinyl alongside stars like Rhyne Howard, Dearica Hamby, Erica Wheeler, Rae Burrell, and Brittney Griner. On January 5th, Williams and Team Vinyl will compete against Laces in the second of the four games scheduled for opening night. In the 2025 season, Williams put up solid numbers, averaging 9.4 points, 4.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.4 steals over approximately 10 minutes per game.
Natisha Hiedeman
Hiedeman, also a member of the StudBudz, returns for another season in Unrivaled after an eventful first year, during which she played for three teams: Phantom, Laces, and Rose. She concluded her inaugural season with Rose, contributing to their victory in the Unrivaled Championship. For the 2026 season, Hiedeman has joined one of the two new teams, The Hive, where she will play alongside Kelsey Mitchell, Sonia Citron, Ezi Magbegor, Saniya Rivers, and Monique Billings. Hiedeman will be looking to make an impact when The Hive faces Smith and The Mist in the season opener on January 5th. Last season, she participated in 12 games, averaging 7.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in about 10 minutes per game.
Napheesa Collier
Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, Collier will not be participating in the 2026 Unrivaled season, despite her initial hopes to play with her Lunar Owls team. On New Year's Day, she revealed that she would need to undergo surgery on both ankles, which will keep her sidelined for four to six months. "I am heartbroken to share that I will miss this Unrivaled season," Collier expressed on her Instagram account. "I have fought hard over the last few months to be back with my Owls and was devastated to be told by my doctors that surgery was the best course of action."
Collier had been coping with injuries sustained during the 2025 WNBA season, including a sprained right ankle in August, which kept her out for three weeks, and a torn ligament in her left ankle during the semifinals. While this news of surgery is undoubtedly disheartening for Collier, it seems necessary for her long-term health. Although it may delay her participation in the upcoming WNBA season, this procedure should help prevent similar injuries in the future and ultimately benefit both Collier and the Lynx as they move ahead.
For those eager to stay informed on every Lynx player and their activities during the offseason, don’t forget to check back every Monday for our Lynx Offseason Update series.
