Paige Bueckers Named No. 1 Pick in Unrivaled Draft
The Unrivaled season begins on January 5, featuring games in Philadelphia on January 1 for the second time this year. Paige Bueckers was selected first overall by The Breeze in the draft held Wednesday.
New Teams and Draft Details
The Breeze is one of two expansion teams added to the 3-on-3 winter league in Miami. The Hive, the other new team, held the No. 2 pick and chose Kelsey Mitchell.
Players were grouped into six pods based on positions: guards, wings, and forwards. The draft had six rounds, with picks alternating among the eight teams.
Team Rosters
The Breeze
- Paige Bueckers
- Rickea Jackson
- Dominique Malonga
- Aari McDonald
- Kate Martin
- Cameron Brink
The Hive
- Kelsey Mitchell
- Sonia Citron
- Ezi Magbegor
- Natisha Hiedeman
- Saniya Rivers
- Monique Billings
Roster Protections and Returning Players
The four playoff teams from last season—the Rose, Lunar Owls, Vinyl, and Laces—were allowed to protect two players each from being drafted by the expansion teams. The Phantom and Mist, who missed the playoffs, could protect one player each.
Defending Champion Rose
- Chelsea Gray
- Kahleah Copper
- Lexie Hull
- Azura Stevens
- Shakira Austin
- Sug Sutton
Lunar Owls
- Co-founder Napheesa Collier
- Skylar Diggins
- Marina Mabrey
- Aaliyah Edwards
- Rebecca Allen
- Rachel Banham
Paige Bueckers was also the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft by Dallas in April.
Fans can watch games for free on NBC 5, wherever they are.
Author's summary: Paige Bueckers led the Unrivaled draft as The Breeze debuted alongside The Hive, with returning playoff teams protecting key players for the upcoming season.
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