In a stunning twist that has set the women’s basketball world ablaze, Napheesa Collier, co-founder of the groundbreaking UNRIVALED 3-on-3 league, has taken a bold swipe at Chicago Sky star Angel Reese while simultaneously throwing down the gauntlet to Indiana Fever sensation Caitlin Clark. With UNRIVALED’s viewership soaring to unprecedented heights and the league reshaping the landscape of women’s sports, Collier’s fiery comments have ignited debates, fueled rivalries, and raised one burning question: Is this the moment women’s basketball transcends into a global phenomenon?

Launched in January 2025 by Collier and WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart, UNRIVALED has quickly become the offseason darling of basketball fans. Designed as a high-octane, 3-on-3 alternative to traditional leagues, it offers players lucrative salaries, stateside competition, and a chance to shine during the WNBA’s downtime. The league’s inaugural season has delivered dazzling performances, nail-biting matchups, and a fresh format that’s hooked audiences. Its debut game on TNT drew 312,000 viewers—a figure that rivals pre-surge WNBA numbers—and subsequent games have only pushed the numbers higher. 

At the heart of this success is Collier herself, who isn’t just a visionary off the court but a dominant force on it. She’s already etched her name in UNRIVALED history with a record-breaking 37-point, 18-rebound performance in late January, followed by a $200,000 payday after winning the league’s 1-on-1 tournament in February. Yet, despite her own brilliance, Collier has turned her attention to two of the sport’s biggest names: Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.

Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky’s rookie phenom and reigning WNBA rebounding queen, has been a revelation in UNRIVALED. On February 21, she made history with the league’s first 20-20 game—22 points and 21 rebounds—leading her team, the Rose, to a statement victory over Collier’s Lunar Owls. The performance underscored Reese’s growing stardom and her ability to captivate fans, both on and off the court. Her fiery personality, paired with her relentless play, has made her a polarizing figure—and a viewership magnet.

But Collier isn’t buying the hype—at least not entirely. In a recent interview on FanDuel TV’s *Run It Back*, she didn’t mince words: “Angel’s out here acting like she’s the sole reason UNRIVALED’s popping off. Let’s be real—people are tuning in for the whole show, not just her rebounding clinics. She’s good, but this league is bigger than any one player.” The jab was sharp, deliberate, and aimed at deflating Reese’s ballooning narrative as UNRIVALED’s golden goose. 

Reese, never one to back down, fired back on social media with characteristic swagger: “Keep my name out ya mouth unless you’re ready to guard me 1-on-1. UNRIVALED’s hot ‘cause I’m heating it up—facts.” The exchange electrified fans, amplifying the league’s buzz and proving that rivalries are as much a draw as the basketball itself.

If Reese is the spark, Caitlin Clark is the wildfire waiting to erupt. The Indiana Fever guard, whose rookie season rewrote WNBA record books and shattered viewership ceilings, opted out of UNRIVALED’s first season to rest and regroup under new coach Stephanie White. Her absence hasn’t gone unnoticed—fans and analysts alike have speculated how her presence could elevate the league to stratospheric heights. Data backs this up: WNBA games featuring Clark in 2024 averaged millions of viewers, dwarfing games without her.

Collier, ever the strategist, isn’t letting Clark off the hook. “Caitlin’s got an open invitation—always has, always will,” she declared. “This league’s built for stars like her. Imagine her, me, Angel, Stewie [Breanna Stewart]—all on the same court. Women’s sports would never be the same. She needs to stop sitting on the sidelines and join the clash.” It’s a demand laced with respect but dripping with urgency. Collier knows Clark’s star power could be the ultimate catalyst, turning UNRIVALED into a cultural juggernaut.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. UNRIVALED isn’t just a league; it’s a movement. With sponsorships from giants like Samsung Galaxy and a multiyear TNT deal, it’s rewriting the economic playbook for women’s basketball. Players like Reese are earning six-figure salaries in a matter of weeks—Collier herself noted that her 1-on-1 prize money matched her entire WNBA salary in just 30 minutes. This financial empowerment, paired with the league’s innovative approach, is challenging the status quo and proving women’s sports can thrive without leaning on overseas gigs or male-dominated narratives.

But it’s the drama—Collier vs. Reese, the Clark-shaped elephant in the room—that’s pushing UNRIVALED into uncharted territory. Fans are eating it up, flooding X with takes like, “Napheesa’s throwing shade, but Angel’s bringing the flame!” and “Caitlin in UNRIVALED would break the internet.” The numbers don’t lie: viewership spikes with every headline, every highlight, every feud.

As UNRIVALED barrels toward its March finale, the question looms: Will Clark heed Collier’s call? Will Reese cement her claim as the league’s face? One thing’s certain—Collier’s not content to let this revolution simmer. She’s stoking the fire, demanding more, and daring the sport’s titans to step up. Women’s basketball has long been on the cusp of a breakout moment. With UNRIVALED’s skyrocketing rise, Collier’s bold vision, and the tantalizing prospect of a Clark-Reese-Collier showdown, that moment might just be here—and it’s rewriting the game forever.