WNBA star Caitlin Clark will officially not be playing in the Unrivaled League during its inaugural season. The newly formed league uses a 3-vs-3 format and has already gotten commitments from some of the WNBA’s brightest stars. Fans were eagerly awaiting Clark’s decision, and some are surely disappointed to hear that she will not be participating.
Clark was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and is coming off her rookie season with the Indiana Fever. She was named WNBA Rookie of the Year with averages of 19.2 PPG, 8.4 APG, 5.7 RPG, and 1.3 SPG while leading the Fever to a postseason berth.
She became the first rookie since Candace Parker in 2008 to be named to the All-WNBA First-team. The former Iowa Hawkeye rose to prominence due to her precise outside shooting and deft playmaking.
Unrivaled will have to move forward without Clark, but the announced rosters are filled with top talents. Fellow All-WNBA First-team selections Breanna Stewart, Naphessa Collier, and Alyssa Thomas are playing. Stewart and Collier are co-founders of the league. Thomas is joined by two Las Vegas Aces guards Kelsey Plum and Kate Martin — Clark’s teammate at Iowa.
Clark’s WNBA teammates Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull will also be involved. Hull is on Team Rose with Rookie of the Year runner-up Angel Reese.
The league is set to debut in January with six teams. Each roster consists of six players — but two teams currently have an open “wild card” spot. The league has let it be known that Clark can join if she changes her mind. Reportedly, Clark wishes to spend her offseason playing golf and attending events. If she gains the desire to play, the league will welcome her with open arms.
