The core issue is bigger than the headlines: Unrivaled is back, and a fresh wave of young stars is about to take center stage. But here’s where it gets controversial: even as talks drag on behind the scenes between the WNBA and WNBPA, the show must go on, and the January kickoff promises to captivate fans with high-level hoops and new rivalries.
Unrivaled held its media day on Monday, and the mood was largely upbeat despite ongoing CBA negotiations. While the labor talks keep attention, players and fans can focus on the court, where Season 3 of the 3x3 league is shaping up to surpass its strong debut season. With a blend of returning favorites and fresh faces, now is the perfect time to preview the five standout performers to watch in January.
Cameron Brink (Breeze BC)
Brink rejoined the WNBA landscape midseason with the Los Angeles Sparks after a lengthy ACL rehab from her rookie year. With more recovery behind her, she’s set to hit Unrivaled with full stride for Breeze BC. Defensively, she remains a force, but her offense is set to expand. The condensed full-court 3x3 format will give her space to operate, sharpen her outside shot, and showcase her versatile, positionless skill set.
Although this marks Brink’s Unrivaled debut, she’s no stranger to 3x3 competition. She played for Team USA at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Austria and missed the 2024 Olympics due to injury. Unrivaled won’t replace that missed moment, but it provides a platform to display what she can do and accelerate her readiness for her third WNBA season. With limited games in 2025 (19) and 2024 (15), Brink will benefit from every meaningful run, and fans won’t have long to wait to see her impact.
Alyssa Thomas (Laces BC)
If you want to witness elite-level basketball, Thomas’s performances for Laces BC are a priority this winter. Fresh off another All-WNBA First Team season, a third-place finish in MVP voting, and a deep playoff run that helped the Phoenix Mercury reach the Finals, she remains one of the game’s most accomplished players. Even with a resume that speaks for itself, Unrivaled is a chance for her to continue refining her craft and adding to her illustrious career as she pursues another championship.
Paige Bueckers (Breeze BC)
Bueckers arrives after a historically significant rookie year in the WNBA and can use Unrivaled work to propel her into a confident sophomore season with the Dallas Wings. Translating 3x3 from her prior exposure with Team USA’s U19 squad in 2019 will be a key test, but she brings familiarity with the format. Fans will be watching to see how her 1-on-1 tournament performance translates and which parts of her game she’s sharpened with Breeze BC.
Saniya Rivers (Hive BC)
Rivers was among the season’s most exciting rookies, posting averages of 8.8 points, 2.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game for the Connecticut Sun. Now with Hive BC, she has a fresh stage to build on that strong start. A dynamic defender, Rivers should thrive in the fast-paced Unrivaled environment, where her scoring and playmaking can turn tight plays into momentum swings.
Dominique Malonga (Breeze BC)
Malonga is quickly emerging as a potential cornerstone for the future of women’s basketball. If her rookie year is any indication, she could become one of the game’s dominant forces for years to come. Pairing her with Bueckers and Brink makes Breeze BC a formidable lineup, offering flexibility: they can mix bigs and speed or deploy a smaller, faster lineup with Aari McDonald. The combination with Rickea Jackson also provides a blend of size and pace.
Bottom line: Malonga is poised to be a central factor in Breeze BC’s success this season. All signs point to a breakout, and regardless of outcomes, her performances are must-watch for fans and analysts alike. And with the surrounding talent around her, Breeze BC could be one of the league’s hottest teams to follow this year.
