Paige Bueckers Selected No. 1 in Unrivaled Draft
The Unrivaled season will begin on January 5, with a few games set to take place in Philadelphia on January 1. Paige Bueckers was chosen first overall by The Breeze during the Unrivaled draft held on Wednesday. This marks The Breeze's second first pick this year. The Breeze is one of two new teams joining the Miami-based 3-on-3 league this winter, alongside The Hive.
Draft Picks and Team Rosters
The Hive, holding the No. 2 pick, selected Kelsey Mitchell. Players were split into six position-based pods (guards, wings, and forwards), with six total rounds. The eight teams took turns making picks.
The Breeze Roster
- Paige Bueckers (also the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft by Dallas)
- Rickea Jackson
- Dominique Malonga
- Aari McDonald
- Kate Martin
- Cameron Brink
The Hive Roster
- Sonia Citron
- Ezi Magbegor
- Natisha Hiedeman
- Saniya Rivers
- Monique Billings
Player Protection Rules
Last season’s four playoff teams—Rose, Lunar Owls, Vinyl, and Laces—were allowed to protect two of their players from being drafted by the new expansion teams. The Phantom and Mist, who did not make the playoffs, could protect one player each.
Returning Players on Defending Champion Rose
- Chelsea Gray
- Kahleah Copper
- Lexie Hull
- Azura Stevens
- Shakira Austin
- Sug Sutton
Key Lunar Owls Players
- Marina Mabrey
- Aaliyah Edwards
- Rebecca Allen
- Rachel Banham
- Co-founder Napheesa Collier
- Skylar Diggins
"Bueckers, who was also the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft by Dallas in April, will be joined on The Breeze by Rickea Jackson, Dominique Malonga, Aari McDonald, Kate Martin and Cameron Brink."
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Author's summary: Paige Bueckers leads The Breeze as the top pick in the Unrivaled draft, with new teams and strategic player protections shaping this exciting 3-on-3 basketball season starting January.