Can Rose repeat? Will Lunar Owls again be a regular-season juggernaut? Is a stronger second season in store for Phantom? Is Laces the most athletic team ever? Will Breeze sell more jerseys or score more points?
Is Vinyl or Mist the better club? How will Hive fare in their debut season?
Answers to those questions can begin to be pondered and prognosticated, as Unrivaled has revealed the eight club rosters for Season 2.
Rosters were significantly reshuffled, with returning players redistributed to different clubs alongside league newcomers. However, clubs that made the playoffs last season were permitted to protect two players, while non-playoff clubs were allowed to protect one player. The protected players who are returning to their same club are:
- Laces: Alyssa Thomas and Jackie Young
- Lunar Owls: Napheesa Collier and Skylar Diggins
- Mist: Breanna Stewart
- Phantom: Satou Sabally
- Rose: Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper
- Vinyl: Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby
Unrivaled also introduced the league’s first-ever Player Development Pool, which includes six players who will train on site and be ready to fill in for injured or absent players. The developmental players are Hailey Van Lith, Aziaha James, Haley Jones, Emily Engstler, Laeticia Amihere and Makayla Timpson.
Here’s a look at how all the rosters shook out, along with some initial thoughts about how each club might perform when Season 2 tips off on Jan. 5, 2026 in Miami.
Breeze BC
- Roster: Aari McDonald, Kate Martin, Cameron Brink, Dominique Malonga, Rickea Jackson, Paige Bueckers
- Head coach: Noelle Quinn
Breeze is loaded with fan favorites, and they should reward members of Breeze nation with some exciting basketball. The potential of a Cameron Brink-Dominique Malonga pairing is insane! Two young, modern bigs standing 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-6, respectively, who can play all over the floor offensively while rejecting every shot defensively? Then, that duo could be complemented by the midrange mastery of Paige Bueckers or Rickea Jackson. Breeze is going to be a ton of fun!
Hive BC
- Roster: Monique Billings, Saniya Rivers, Natisha Hiedeman, Ezi Magbegor, Sonia Citron, Kelsey Mitchell
- Head coach: Rena Wakama
Often cited by fellow players as the toughest cover in the WNBA, Kelsey Mitchell might be even more dangerous on the more spacious 3×3 Unrivaled court, especially when she is supported by Sonia Citron, a 3-point sniper who will have to be guarded closely in the halfcourt. The defensive combination of Saniya Rivers on the perimeter and Ezi Magbegor around the basket could also cause fits for opponents.
Laces BC
- Roster: Jackie Young, Alyssa Thomas, Naz Hilmon, Maddy Siegrist, Jordin Canada, Brittney Sykes
- Head coach: Andrew Wade
Is there a more athletically-imposing trio in all of women’s basketball than Alyssa Thomas, Jackie Young and Brittney Sykes? The power of Thomas and Young, combined with the explosiveness of Sykes, could overwhelm opponents. And don’t sleep on the strength of Naz Hillmon! Then, there’s the speedy Jordin Canada and sweet-shooting Maddy Siegrist. Derailed by injuries last season, Laces might be poised to dominate Season 2.
Lunar Owls BC
- Roster: Napheesa Collier, Aaliyah Edwards, Rebecca Allen, Skylar Diggins, Marina Mabrey, Rachel Banham
- Head coach: DJ Sackmann
The demonic duo of Napheesa Collier and Skylar Diggins, who led Lunar Owls through a league-leading regular season, are surround by a new supporting cast. Rebecca Allen could fill in the Allisha Gray role, providing length on defense and shooting on offense, while both Marina Mabrey and Rachel Banham also are unafraid to fire away. Given inconsistent opportunity with Mist last season, can Aaliyah Edwards emerge as versatile piece for Owls? She’ll need to for the club to meet the standard they set last season.
Mist BC
- Roster: Breanna Stewart, Arike Ogunbowale, Veronica Burton, Alanna Smith, Li Yueru, Allisha Gray
- Head coach: Zach O’Brien
One of last season’s more disappointing teams, Mist has a refreshed roster that seems likely to compile a more competitive record. This team could be a defensive terror! A frontcourt pairing of Breanna Stewart and Alanna Smith could shut down opponents by themselves. But then, Veronica Burton or Allisha Gray can also cause problems on the perimeter. Mist also could be electric on the other side of the ball, particularly if Arike Ogunbowale rediscovers her supreme scoring form.
Phantom BC
- Roster: Satou Sabally, Natasha Cloud, Dana Evans, Aaliyah Boston, Kiki Iriafen, Kelsey Plum
- Head coach: Roneeka Hodges
Last season’s cellar dweller, Phantom will benefit from the competitive spunk and shotmaking prowess of Kelsey Plum and Dana Evans. And as she demonstrated throughout her rookie season in the WNBA, it’s not smart to put a ceiling on Kiki Iriafen. Returners Satou Sabally and Natasha Cloud will need to have better second seasons, as will Aliyah Boston, who seemed out of place in the 3×3 format as a member of Vinyl last season. At least on paper, it’s a bit hard to see how this club will mesh on the court, especially compared to the other comers.
Rose BC
- Roster: Shakira Austin, Lexie Hull, Sug Sutton, Azurá Stevens, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper
- Head coach: Nola Henry
The defending champions not only return protected players Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper, but also managed to bring back Azurá Stevens and Lexie Hull. The addition of Shakira Austin intrigues. Given limited minutes with Lunar Owls last season, it won’t be surprising if Austin shows more for Rose, particularly with the Point Gawd setting her up. Additionally, an Austin-Stevens frontcourt pairing will be even longer than the Stevens-Angel Reese tandem that was successful for Rose last season.
Vinyl BC
- Roster: Brittney Griner, Rae Burrell, Erica Wheeler, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Courtney Williams
- Head coach: Teresa Weatherspoon
Last season, Vinyl surprisingly advanced to the championship game. This season, they should be expected to return to the final stage, as Vinyl looks to rival Laces as an early championship favorite. This will be the third shared 3×3 experience for the protected pair of Rhyne Howard and Dearica Hamby, including the 2024 Olympics. That familiarity, combined with a nearly perfect supporting cast, sets Vinyl up for success. Both Courtney Williams and Erica Wheeler introduce playmaking, shotmaking and end-to-end energy, while nobody epitomizes energy and effort more than Rae Burrell.
