The women’s basketball world is buzzing, and the noise is deafening. All eyes are on Unrivaled, the 3×3 league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, as it prepares for its second season. The question dominating conversations? Will Caitlin Clark finally make her debut — and will Angel Reese be left behind?

Angel Reese: The Missing Name

So far, Unrivaled has released the majority of its roster announcements. But one glaring absence is impossible to ignore: Angel Reese, the self-proclaimed “Bayou Barbie” who was one of the league’s biggest draws in its inaugural season.

Reese was central to Unrivaled’s marketing in year one, helping to drive ticket sales, social media hype, and viewership. Fans loved her energy, her rivalry with Caitlin Clark dating back to college, and her charisma on and off the court. Yet, as names continue to roll in for season two, Angel Reese’s is still missing.

The silence has fans on edge. Is Reese negotiating for a bigger payday? Is she skipping the offseason entirely to focus on the WNBA? Or, more shockingly, is Unrivaled moving forward without one of its most marketable stars?

Caitlin Clark: The Crown Jewel Everyone Wants

If Angel Reese is the missing puzzle piece, Caitlin Clark is the golden ticket.

Clark’s name has been tied to Unrivaled since the league’s inception. Reports surfaced last year that she turned down a $1 million offer to play in its debut season. Instead, she went straight from college into the WNBA, where she’s already broken records despite only appearing in 13 professional games.

Now, with Clark sidelined for much of the WNBA season and fans desperate to see her on the court again, speculation is growing louder that she could be announced as part of Unrivaled’s second season.

The league’s president even admitted publicly: “We’ll always hold a spot for Caitlin Clark.”

The Business of Hype

The Clark-Reese dynamic isn’t just about basketball. It’s about business, attention, and cultural impact.

Fans point out that if Unrivaled unveils Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese together in a joint announcement, it would be the single biggest headline in women’s basketball this offseason. Ticket prices would skyrocket. Secondary markets would sell out in minutes. And TV ratings could double or even triple.

One fan on social media summed it up: “Unrivaled, don’t play with our emotions again. If it’s Caitlin, release the tickets before you announce, because they’ll be gone instantly.”

Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark: The Money Question

Rumors swirl that Reese wants a deal similar to Sabrina Ionescu’s from last year, while Clark is reportedly being offered a “Caitlin Clark package” that could eclipse even that.

If Reese feels undervalued compared to her peers, it could explain her absence from the roster. But if Clark is the prize Unrivaled is holding back for maximum drama, then the calculus changes entirely: the league may be prioritizing Clark even if it means losing Reese.

Why Unrivaled Makes Sense for Clark

There’s also a basketball logic to this.

Clark has only played 13 professional games so far.

The WNBA’s future is clouded by potential lockout issues.

A long offseason would leave her sidelined for up to 20 months.

Playing in Unrivaled gives Clark an opportunity to stay sharp, build her brand, and command national TV attention on multiple platforms.

While some purists criticize Unrivaled for being 3×3 instead of traditional 5-on-5, the league still offers a competitive environment and — more importantly — mainstream visibility.

Athletes Unlimited: The Other Option

Reporter Khloe Peterson recently suggested that if Clark joins an offseason league, Athletes Unlimited may be the more likely landing spot. AU is a 5-on-5 league, more aligned with WNBA play, and has attracted stars in the past.

Still, Unrivaled has something AU doesn’t: momentum, hype, and the cultural cachet of being the “cool new league.” That’s why Clark’s name looms so large over every roster announcement.

What Fans Are Saying

The tension around Clark and Reese is feeding nonstop speculation:

“If Caitlin Clark signs, Unrivaled’s viewership will double.”

“Angel Reese is the face of Unrivaled. Leaving her out makes no sense.”

“Imagine a joint announcement — Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The internet would break.”

Meanwhile, some fans are warning Unrivaled not to drag things out. Last year, the league was accused of teasing big names without delivering. This time, patience is thin.

The Big Picture

What happens next could shape the trajectory of women’s basketball for years.

If Caitlin Clark joins Unrivaled, it becomes the most-watched women’s offseason league in history, full stop.

If Angel Reese is left out, Unrivaled risks alienating fans who tuned in specifically for her.

If both are announced together, Unrivaled doesn’t just win the offseason — it dominates the entire sports media cycle.

One thing is certain: women’s basketball has never had this much drama off the court.

The streets are talking. The fans are waiting. And Unrivaled holds all the cards.