The WNBA is currently on a mid-season break, which means it’s time for Unrivaled to return as expected. Based on the 3×3 league’s inaugural season schedule, fans can expect the 2026 Unrivaled season to kick off in January.

However, the 3×3 league may have some difficulty attracting fans when its second season begins. On Thursday, Underdog WNBA released the names of all 48 players participating in this smaller format tournament on its X account.Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson etAngel Reese, who played in their first season, are three big names absent from the list.

The second season of Unrivaled will be a real test for the 3×3 league

Unrivaled’s second season will be a tough test for the growing 3×3 basketball league. Not only were they missing three of the WNBA’s most beloved players, but they were also missing other fan favorites like DiJonai Carrington andSophie Cunningham .

Carrington was unable to compete during the mid-season break because she was still recovering from a foot injury. The reason for Cunningham’s absence remains unclear. The 3×3 basketball tournament has received many compliments since its first season. They attracted many sponsors after the first season.

They have also expanded the number of teams in the tournament. Two new teams, Breeze BC and Hive BC, will join the league next season. While Collier and Stewart’s run may not have attracted the attention of the WNBA’s big three, they certainly still have the league’s other superstars.

WNBA Rookie of the Year,Paige Bueckers, will compete in the 3×3 basketball tournament in its second season. Aliyah Boston, Sonia Citron and Veronica Burton are some other notable names on the 48-player list.

The WNBA is currently facing a strike. The union has not yet reached an agreement with the WNBPA’s demands. So, the second season of Unrivaled could be a tough challenge for them, but also a great opportunity for them to grow and attract more fans to their product.