Why Unrivaled’s 2026 season matters for Aussie fans

• Unrivaled tips off its second season in Miami with eight teams and elite global talent
• Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor and Bec Allen headline Australian involvement
• Full-court 3x3 format delivers speed, physicality and chaos

It’s Unrivaled time! After a hugely successful inaugural season in 2025, the 3x3 basketball league – boasting some of the biggest names in women’s hoops - is back for 2026, tipping off in Miami tomorrow morning (5am AEDT).

For Australian basketball fans, there’s plenty to keep an eye on in 2026. After no Aussies were involved last season, three will take part this year; Alanna Smith, Ezi Magbegor and Bec Allen.

So, what is Unrivaled?

It’s an eight-team league, up from six teams last season, with each squad having six rostered players. Unlike FIBA 3x3 basketball as we’ve seen at the Olympics, Unrivaled uses a full court with two baskets, but it is smaller than a usual court.

Games are made up of three seven-minute periods, followed by a ‘winning score’ final period, where it becomes a race to a final score, which is 11 points more than the leading team’s score. Basically, the leading team needs to score 11 points to win and the trailing team needs to score 11 points, plus the amount they trail by.

With three players on the court per team at a time, and just a 12-second shot clock, the pace of play is extremely fast, and chaos ensues.

Last season, Rose BC were crowned Champions, with superstar point guard Chelsea Gray named Finals MVP, while Napheesa Collier, a co-founder of the league alongside Breanna Stewart, was named league MVP.

With more teams and players than last season, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2026, not just because there’s Australians involved, but because the likes of young stars Paige Bueckers, Cam Brink and Dom Malonga are teaming up on Breeze BC, while Rose BC return with Gray as well as one of the best scorers in the game, Kahleah Copper.

Phantom BC boast a loaded roster with star guards Kelsey Plum and Natasha Cloud, plus WNBA All-Stars Aliyah Boston and Kiki Iriafen. Vinyl BC, last season’s runners-up, will be looking to go one better with stars Dearica Hamby, Brittney Griner and Rhyne Howard. Meanwhile, Laces BC have great versatility with Jackie Young, Alyssa Thomas and Brittney Sykes.

For our Australian trio, Alanna Smith is a member of Mist BC, which boasts a loaded roster of WNBA All-Stars Breanna Stewart, Arike Ogunbowale and Alisha Gray.

Ezi Magbegor will be a key piece of Hive BC’s puzzle, alongside Kelsey Mitchell, and a pair of young stars in Sonia Citron and Saniya Rivers.

Bec Allen will be lining up for Lunar Owls BC, who will be without their superstar Napheesa Collier, who has been ruled out for the entire season due to injury, but they still have plenty of firepower with Skylar Diggins, Marina Mabrey and Aaliyah Edwards.

Edwards won last year’s 1v1 tournament, which was a highlight of the season. The tournament was must-see TV as players went head-to-head with nowhere to hide and $200,000 on the line for the winner.

The eight-week regular season will see each team play 14 games and with superstars on each and every team, there will be highlights galore.

While those that played last season will have an advantage, you get the feeling that Ezi Magbegor is built for Unrivaled. She has the size and length to defend anyone on an island or in the paint, while also boasting the athleticism and speed to get up the court in transition and make plays.

Magbegor is going to be the perfect running mate alongside Kelsey Mitchell, who loves to push the pace. Look for those two to build a great chemistry as the season goes on.

Smith, the reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, is going to provide a huge inside presence for Mist BC and allow her teammates to play more freely on defence, knowing she’s going to be doing all she can on the last line of defence to protect the basket.

Mist BC boast unbelievable depth and will be a tough cover for any team in the league.

Bec Allen’s versatility will be key for Lunar Owls BC. There’s no doubt the loss of Napheesa Collier is impossible to cover, but with two of the fiercest guards in the world in Marina Mabrey and Skylar Diggins teaming up, they won’t die wondering.

Allen’s length and defensive instincts will shine bright on the Unrivaled court, while her ability to knock down long range shots will see her become a huge part of Lunar Owls BC on both ends of the court.

With all games available to watch via Unrivaled’s YouTube channel for international viewers, Australian fans are in for a treat.

Unrivaled’s 2026 season tips off tomorrow morning at 5am (AEDT) with Alanna Smith’s Mist BC taking on Ezi Magbegor’s Hive BC.

Get the popcorn ready!