Unrivaled is set to begin its season on January 17, a two-game slate beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
There are six teams in the inaugural season: The Laces, Vinyl, Rose, Lunar Owls, Phantom, and Mist. Two Fever players were selected to play in the league-- Lexie Hull and Aliyah Boston.
Boston, who is celebrating her 23rd birthday on Wednesday, is coming off a stellar 2024. The South Carolina product averaged 14 points and just under nine boards per game, ranking seventh in the league in rebounding.
As we approach the start of the new year, IFR breaks down the birthday girl's fit on the Vinyl.
Teresa Weatherspoon's squad could be set up for greatness
If there's one coach that knows a thing or two about coaching talented, young bigs, it's Teresa Weatherspoon.
Weatherspoon was spoiled with the Chicago Sky this past season, having picked up two star college bigs in Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Reese stole the show, leading the league in rebounding with a WNBA-record 13.1 rebounds per game and averaging a double-double on the season.
Weatherspoon is likely to have a similar coaching style in a 3v3 format, getting the bigs involved inside to either score or kick it out for shooters. Boston, who matches up one-on-one with just about any forward in the WNBA, should thrive in this system.
Boston has a pretty phenomenal group around her as well. The WNBA's highest-scoring guard, Arike Ogunbowale, will make up one member of the backcourt. The starters will likely be Boston, Ogunbowale, and young star Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream. Boston's physical presence down low will open up plenty of opportunities on the perimeter for Ogunbowale and Howard.
Defensive specialist Jordin Canada will handle most big matchups, such as a Jewell Loyd or Kahleah Copper. Dearica Hamby will be another tough matchup for opposing bigs, making her and Boston the perfect rotation for a physical, inside-out attack.
Los Angeles Sparks guard Rae Burrell should benefit tremendously from being exposed to these Vinyl stars. Burrell has shown glimpses of what she can become, and working with a veteran like Ogunbowale in the backcourt should be beneficial to her development.
The Vinyl could be scary
Think about this roster makeup.
Ogunbowale is one of the best isolation scorers in the league. Boston is one of the most physical post players. All remaining players are capable, and the guards can all stretch the floor.
Boston and Hamby rotating in and out will allow the Vinyl to maintain a singular identity-- the team will not have to plan differently based on what personnel is on the court. Both bigs can bang down low, both have tremendous touch, and both attack the glass.
When the defense commits to helping down low, expect kickouts to one of the four talented shooters that make up the rest of the roster. With the correct scheme and off-ball movement, this team will have reliable scoring options at all three levels.
Everyone's talking about the Mist, but the Vinyl are an easy "dark horse" pick to win the league.