Angel Reese Supports Her Team as the Rose Claim Unrivaled Championship in Her Absence

In an exciting turn of events, Angel Reese’s team, the Rose, secured the inaugural Unrivaled championship on Monday night, triumphing with a 62-54 victory over the Vinyl despite Reese being sidelined due to a wrist injury.

The victory, which earned the Rose a $50,000 payday per player, marked a significant milestone for the new 3×3 basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Despite being ruled out of the final after aggravating a previous injury, Reese celebrated the team’s success, posting on social media: “50K NEED DATTTTT” as a nod to the lucrative prize.

An Unexpected Path to Victory

Although many had written off the Rose earlier in the season, they fought back from a 1-4 start to capture the league’s first-ever title. Brittney Sykes was pivotal in their championship win, finishing with 21 points, including a crucial driving layup and the game-winning free throw. Azurá Stevens contributed an impressive 19 points and 18 rebounds, while Chelsea Gray added 18 points and 8 assists, showcasing her versatility and leadership throughout the game.

The Vinyl were led by Rhyne Howard, who scored 22 points, with Dearica Hamby and Aliyah Boston each contributing 10 points in the loss. Despite the strong individual performances, it was the Rose’s team cohesion that ultimately earned them the crown.

A Champion Without Playing

Gray, who also plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA, was named Unrivaled Playoff MVP for her role in guiding the Rose to victory. Her standout performance included a record-setting 39 points in the semifinal against the Laces, propelling her team to the title game. However, the Rose clinched the win without the presence of their star player, Reese, who had been crucial to their earlier successes in the league.

Reese had been unable to play in the semifinals after re-injuring her surgically repaired left hand, which had previously cut short her rookie season in the WNBA. Although she missed the final game, Reese remained an ardent supporter of her team throughout the journey. She was named Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year and made the All-Unrivaled second team, further cementing her status as one of the league’s top talents.

A New League with Major Financial Incentives

Unrivaled has quickly gained attention for its player-focused structure, offering the highest average salary of any women’s sports league. Each player receives a guaranteed $250,000 salary for the eight-week season, along with equity stakes as part-owners in the league. Reese, who has been outspoken about the benefits of playing in Unrivaled, previously mentioned how the league allowed her to stay in the U.S. during the off-season while earning six figures and honing her skills alongside some of the best WNBA players.

“I’m excited to like really dial in and get better,” Reese shared before the league began. “The games are going to be cool and fun, but I just want to learn from the vets and stuff.”

Looking Ahead

With the Rose now being crowned the first-ever Unrivaled champions, the league continues to make waves as a new platform for elite women’s basketball players to showcase their talents. As the league grows, players like Angel Reese and Chelsea Gray are leading the charge, showing how professional women’s sports can thrive financially and competitively in a way that benefits players both on and off the court.

As for Reese, while her journey in Unrivaled was marked by sacrifice, her commitment to her team and the league’s success has clearly paid off. Fans are eager to see where this new chapter in her career will lead, both in Unrivaled and in her continued rise in the WNBA.