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JWS’ 2022 WNBA end-of-season awards: Our picks for MVP and more

A’ja Wilson edged out Breanna Stewart for MVP in our WNBA end-of-season award ballots. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The WNBA playoffs are here, pitting the league’s top eight teams against each other in an expanded postseason format starting with Round 1 on Wednesday.

Now that the regular season is in the rearview mirror, Just Women’s Sports’ WNBA experts got together to make their picks for every major award. While Rachel Galligan, Lyndsey D’Arcangelo and Eden Laase reached a majority decision on most of their selections, they differed on others and explained why.

Let’s dive into the selections, including a bonus lightning round on the WNBA playoffs at the end.

Most Valuable Player

A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

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(David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Galligan: A’ja Wilson

Choosing between Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson for MVP was one of the most difficult decisions on the ballot. What it came down to for me was Las Vegas finishing the season as the No. 1 team in the league. While the Aces have a lot of weapons, Wilson’s consistency, durability and dominance are unmatched. The 2020 MVP finished first in the league in double-doubles, efficiency per 40 minutes and blocks per game, and she came in second in rebounds per game. Wilson is the Aces’ anchor, and she has shown time and time again that she can throw the team on her back in crunch time.

D’Arcangelo: A’ja Wilson

The WNBA hasn’t had an MVP race this tight in quite a while. I was close to flipping a coin and letting fate decide between Stewart and Wilson. Ultimately, I picked Wilson for similar reasons, with consistency on both ends of the floor being at the top of the list. We’ve known what Wilson can do offensively for Las Vegas, but she’s also raised her defensive game in the absence of Liz Cambage, finishing second overall with 7.6 defensive rebounds per game and shouldering 64.2 percent of the Aces’ total blocks for the season while averaging 1.9 per game. She’s been a complete player all season, with the league’s best +/- rating at 8.7.

Laase: A’ja Wilson

I oscillated between Wilson, Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart, but ultimately my gut said Wilson. As Rachel and Lyndsey explained, the stats point to Wilson’s dominance, but so does the eye test. If you watch Wilson on any given possession, she’s making an impact even if she isn’t directly involved in the play. Whether it’s setting an off-ball screen, sealing a lane for a driving guard on offense, preventing a post-entry pass or impacting a guard’s decision to drive because of her shot-blocking ability, the Aces star affects every play for the better.

Rookie of the Year

Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

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(Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Galligan: Rhyne Howard

Rhyne Howard maintained a seamless level of production from college to the WNBA this season, averaging 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 31 minutes per game. The 2022 No. 1 pick proved herself to be a generational talent and cornerstone for the rebuilding Dream. Her contributions to Atlanta, which bounced back from three straight single-digit win seasons to come within a game of the playoffs this year, makes her my Rookie of the Year.

D’Arcangelo: Rhyne Howard

Howard’s transition from college to the pros was so smooth, there were times when I forgot she was even a rookie. The combination of her production and immediate impact she made on the Dream is something we haven’t seen for a few years now from a player straight out of college. Howard has been a clear-cut choice for ROY all season long, winning every Rookie of the Month Award throughout the season.

Laase: Rhyne Howard

There were games this season where, despite the better competition, Howard looked more dominant on a WNBA court than she did playing in college. That speaks to her readiness athletically, mentally, physically and skill-wise. Being the only rookie selected as an All-Star adds another layer of proof to her Rookie of the Year-worthy season.

Coach of the Year

Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces

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(Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Galligan: Becky Hammon

This was the second hardest-decision to make on the ballot this year. In fact, I changed my mind on the final day of the regular season. There is a major argument to be made for James Wade, who took the Chicago Sky from a .500 regular season team last year to a top seed this year despite losing two starters from their championship run. But I went with first-year head coach Becky Hammon largely because it is her first season in the WNBA. Hammon integrated herself into a very talented space, quickly earned the respect of her players and found ways to mold this roster in a way that showcases all of the players’ strengths. It’s easy to take for granted how difficult all of that is to achieve in Year 1.

D’Arcangelo: Becky Hammon

Like Rachel, I had Wade as my initial pick. The Sky were the best team in the league for the greater part of the season, and at times it looked like a repeat championship win was destined to happen. But what Hammon has done with the Aces in her first season as head coach — starting the year on a 13-2 run and unleashing a high-octane offense that brought out the best in Wilson, Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray — was impressive. Yes, the Aces already had talent, but it takes a certain kind of coach to harness that talent in the right way so players can thrive. Hammon was able to navigate the ups and downs of the season so that Las Vegas finished as the No. 1 team in the league.

Laase: Becky Hammon

As much as I wish I could bring some originality to this discussion, I agree with Rachel and Lyndsey once again. Hammon, in her first season with the Aces, showed an incredible ability to understand her players’ skill sets and how to use them effectively. It’s no coincidence that both Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young made major jumps this season. That talent has been there; Hammon just figured out how best to use it.

Defensive Player of the Year

Mixed results

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Connecticut forward Alyssa Thomas was one of a few standout defensive players this season. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Galligan: Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun

Alyssa Thomas has had to be a Swiss Army knife for the Sun this season between scoring, rebounding, creating and defending. Thomas is fifth in the league in overall rebounding, pulling down 8.2 per game, including 6.1 on the defensive glass. The forward is also second in the league with 1.8 steals per game, contributing heavily to the Sun’s league-leading 8.8 per contest. Connecticut, second in the league in defensive rating at 96.3, allows 77.8 points per game to opponents, the second-fewest in the WNBA. None of those numbers would be possible without Thomas and her ability to guard position 1 through 5 and impact every game for the Sun on the defensive end.

D’Arcangelo: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm

Breanna Stewart’s defense has always been a key factor for the Storm. This season, she is second overall in defensive win shares with 2.3, fourth in defensive rebounds with 6.2 and fifth in steals with 1.6. As a team, Seattle is third overall in defensive rating at 97.4, and Stewart is a big reason why. Her length and agility in the paint and ability to close out shots make her one of the toughest defenders in the league. There were a lot of standouts on defense this year, including Thomas, but I give Stewart the edge.

Laase: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

My criteria for MVP is a player who is elite on offense and defense — that’s how I landed on Aliyah Boston for NCAA Player of the Year, for example. So generally, my MVP pick will also be my defensive MVP choice. The same logic applies here. A’ja Wilson averages 7.6 defensive boards (grabbing a defensive rebound 28 percent of the time for her team), 1.4 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. Wilson is also impactful in ways that don’t show up on a stat sheet. Her post defense, ability to box out and shot-altering presence are just a few examples of her defensive prowess.

Sixth Woman of the Year

Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun

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(M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Galligan: Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun

Brionna Jones is an easy choice for Sixth Woman of the Year. The center finished the regular season averaging 13.8 points per game while shooting a highly efficient 57 percent from the field. She also pulled down 5.1 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. Her role with the Sun has been that of a steady interior force who can impact the game right away off the bench. When the Sun struggled to score, Jones could get the job done in the paint. With the talent to be a starter on any other roster, the back-to-back All-Star has accepted her role with grace this season, and that is impressive in and of itself.

D’Arcangelo: Brionna Jones

Jones was the only player I had on my list for Sixth Woman of the Year. Her value coming off the bench easily stands above the rest. She’s the third-best player in the league when it comes to win shares, with her 6.3 trailing only Stewart and Wilson, and she has the sixth-highest player efficiency rating at 23.1. Jones has worked on her game since she entered the league in 2017, adding certain elements that have made her a top post player and a two-time All-Star selection. She may start on the bench, but she’s a starter-quality player in every way.

Laase: Brionna Jones

Jones is the obvious pick here. Efficiency is one of the most important qualities a player can have, and Jones certainly has that. The ideal bench player also brings something different to the court, qualities that the starters may not have. For Jones, that’s her incredible strength and size. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, she defends differently than Sun forwards Jonquel Jones and DeWanna Bonner. She’s also able to out-muscle opponents on offense and on the glass, giving Connecticut a unique and potent weapon.

Most Improved Player

Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces

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(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Galligan: Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces

Jackie Young made a decision last offseason to commit to extending her range while becoming more offensively versatile and productive from the perimeter. Young went from connecting on 25 percent of her 3-pointers in 2021 to 43.1 percent this season, an unbelievable jump and vital tool for the Aces. While there is an argument to be made for Kelsey Plum, she played seven more minutes per game for Las Vegas this season, giving her a greater opportunity to produce. In 1.4 more minutes per game, Young went from averaging 12.2 points to 15.9 this year. Her rebounds, assists, steals and free-throw percentages all increased this season as a result.

D’Arcangelo: Kelsey Plum

I was torn between Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum for this award. Young has been so impressive in her evolution for all of the reasons previously mentioned. She can not only still get into the paint and drive to the hoop, but she has also added a consistent mid-range jumper and three-point shot to her game. But the leap Plum has made this season, especially after coming back from an Achilles injury in 2020, is just too hard to ignore. She’s the second-leading scorer in the league at 20.2 points per game, first in 3-pointers made with 3.1, and ninth in assists with 5.1. In a better place physically and mentally this year, Plum is having the best season of her career.

Laase: Kelsey Plum

Plum’s jump from Sixth Woman of the Year to an MVP candidate is enough for me to give her the Most Improved Player nod. Her minutes went up, so it makes sense that her number have too, but the way Plum approaches the game also stands out. She carries herself like she’s the best player on the floor and she has a true scorer’s mentality. Her 3-point shooting has been key for an Aces team that more than doubled its 3-point makes, from 162 last season to 342 in 2022.

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Skylar Diggins-Smith led the Mercury in scoring this season. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

The WNBA implemented a new process for the All-WNBA teams this year, in which voters did not have to take a player’s position into account when making their selections. Voters previously chose two guards, one center and one forward per team. The results of our selections are as follows:

All-WNBA First Team

Galligan: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Candace Parker and Skylar Diggins-Smith

D’Arcangelo: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Alyssa Thomas, Skylar Diggins-Smith

Laase: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Candace Parker, Jonquel Jones

All-WNBA Second Team

Galligan: Emma Meesseman, Kahleah Copper, Jonquel Jones, Courtney Vandersloot and Alyssa Thomas

D’Arcangelo: Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Sylvia Fowles, Chelsea Gray

Laase: Sabrina Ionescu, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Alyssa Thomas, Emma Meeseman, Courtney Vandersloot

All-Rookie Team

Galligan: Rhyne Howard, Shakira Austin, NaLyssa Smith, Rebekah Gardner, Queen Egbo

D’Arcangelo: Rhyne Howard, Shakira Austin, NaLyssa Smith, Rebekah Gardner, Queen Egbo

Laase: Rhyne Howard, Shakira Austin, NaLyssa Smith, Rebekah Gardner, Queen Egbo

All-Defensive Team

Galligan: Alyssa Thomas, Breanna Stewart, Sylvia Fowles, Natasha Cloud, Aerial Atkins

D’Arcangelo: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Natasha Cloud, Sylvia Fowles, Courtney Vandersloot

Laase: A’ja Wilson, Candace Parker, Sylvia Fowles, Brittney Sykes, Natasha Cloud

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The Wings are an upset candidate against the Sun in the first round of the playoffs. (Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Bonus lightning round

Top seed most likely to be eliminated

Galligan: Las Vegas Aces

It pains me to say it, but the Aces’ depth issues give me pause. It will also be interesting to see if the Sun can hit a new gear and finally get over the hump in the playoffs. If they can, they have a shot at winning it all.

D’Arcangelo: Connecticut Sun

I don’t want to say the Sun, but I’m going to have to say the Sun. As good as they can be, if they have a tough series with a hungry lower-seed, such as the Dallas Wings in the first round, they might be packing their bags early yet again.

Laase: Connecticut Sun

The Sun, strictly because of the matchup. The Wings are playing excellent basketball right now, winning six of their last eight games. Teaira McCowan has blossomed down the stretch and Marina Mabrey is thriving. If Arike Ogunbowale comes back from injury, this team will be even more dangerous.

Bottom seed most likely to surprise

Galligan: Dallas Wings

The Wings have a ton of confidence right now entering the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. Marina Mabrey and Teaira McCowan have been a force down the stretch, combining for 35 points per game as the Wings won seven of their last 10 games in the regular season. The Wings integrated McCowan more heavily into their system the second half of the season and it has paid off. Dallas beat Connecticut two of the three times the teams faced each other in the regular season, so they know what it takes.

D’Arcangelo: Dallas Wings

I agree with Rachel. The Wings have come alive in the closing weeks of the regular season, and their matchup against the Sun couldn’t be better. They are playing together as a team and have shown they can excel with and without top scorer Arike Ogunbowale on the floor. Back-to-back wins against the Sky and the Aces in the first week of August are indicative of what this team is capable of against formidable opponents.

Laase: New York Liberty

I’ll also throw out the Liberty as a team to watch. They clinched their playoff bid with back-to-back wins over a talented Atlanta squad and ended their season on a 7-3 run. Betnijah Laney is back and the team is certainly gelling. Plus, the playmaking of Sabrina Ionescu and Marine Johannès is always going to give opponents trouble. If they can secure a first-game win over the Sky, the Liberty have a shot at getting out of the opening round.

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Sabrina Ionescu leads the Liberty into the playoffs for the second straight year. (Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports)

Player to watch

Galligan: Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces

Plum’s ability to rise to the occasion with an unwavering sense of poise makes her unique, and in the playoffs she has the potential to take her game to another level. I also am keeping my eye on Kahleah Copper, who earned the spotlight last year after elevating her play in crunch time.

D’Arcangelo: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty

Sabrina Ionescu has reached another gear this season. The guard was a big reason why the Liberty were able to move up and secure the seventh playoff spot during the final weekend of the regular season. In the beginning of August, she scored 31, 20, 20 and 32 points in games, respectively, and now enters the postseason leading her team in scoring (17.3) and assists (6.3). She has the ability to rise to the occasion and show up in big games when the Liberty need it most.

Laase: Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics

I left Elena Delle Donne off my WNBA awards list because she played only 25 games this season due to injury, but the Mystics star is playing at an All-WNBA level. Delle Donne is averaging 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. Three years removed from her heroics in the 2019 WNBA Finals, a playoff run would be a great way to cap her comeback from multiple back surgeries.

Championship prediction

Galligan: Aces over Sky in 5

I could go so many directions with this, but my best bet right now is Las Vegas and Chicago in the Finals. Even though Chicago has been the deepest and most consistent team in the league, it is hard to repeat, and the Aces have one of the most dangerous squads despite their short bench.

D’Arcangelo: Aces over Sky in 5

An Aces-Sky Finals matchup would be an incredible series. Both teams have dominated in league play but also struggled at times, with the Aces hitting a rut midseason and the Sky getting off to a slower start. Now, it almost seems destined for the two best teams in the league to be playing the last games of the season.

Laase: Aces over Sky in 5

It feels like the season has been leading up to the Aces and the Sky, and I can’t envision it going any other way in the Finals. Both teams are loaded with talent, and even as I’m typing this out, I don’t know who I’m going to choose. My gut says the Aces, and if I were a betting woman, I’d put money on it being a five-game series.

Rachel Galligan is a basketball analyst at Just Women’s Sports. A former professional basketball player and collegiate coach, she also contributes to Winsidr. Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachGall.

Lyndsey D’Arcangelo is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports, covering the WNBA and college basketball. She also contributes to The Athletic and is the co-author of “Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women’s Football League.” Follow Lyndsey on Twitter @darcangel21.

Eden Laase is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @eden_laase.

UConn Skids, Notre Dame Soars in Latest AP Poll Top 25 NCAA Basketball Rankings

The Notre Dame basketball bench celebrates a basket during a game.
The Irish were awarded their highest AP Poll ranking since 2019 this week. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

A recent string of Top 10 upsets made its mark on Monday's updated AP Top 25 Poll, as undefeated No. 1 UCLA continues holding court above the shifting chaos.

Notre Dame rose to No. 2 for the first time since 2019, buoyed by strong performances against Stanford and then-No. 21 Cal last week.

Climbing to No. 3 was Texas, who claimed the boost by ending South Carolina's multi-year SEC unbeaten streak on Sunday. As a result, the defending champion Gamecocks fell from No. 2 to No. 4.

On the other hand, No. 15 Tennessee is on the upswing, as last Thursday's upset win over UConn lifted the Vols four spots while sending the Huskies skidding from No. 5 to No. 7.

No. 20 Oklahoma State achieved the week's biggest win, however, as Saturday's 85-55 blowout victory over then-No. 12 Kansas Sate gave the Cowgirls a five-spot boost.

Texas guard Rori Harmon dribbles past South Carolina's MiLaysia Fulwiley during a 2025 NCAA basketball game.
Both Texas and South Carolina are projected NCAA tournament No. 1 seeds. (Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Teams jockey for AP Poll positions as March Madness looms

While a jump in the rankings certainly provides bragging rights, it also impacts both conference and NCAA tournament seeding as the regular season winds down.

ESPN's Bracketology currently has UCLA, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and Texas taking the NCAA tournament's four No. 1 seeds. Notably, two of those teams — the Bruins and the Longhorns — are rookies in their respective conferences, showcasing significant dominance fresh out of the realignment gate.

Meanwhile, other major players like LSU, USC, and UConn still have time to pad their resumes en route to their conference showdowns, which will tip off in early March.

AP College Basketball Top 25: Week 15

1. UCLA (23-0, Big Ten)
2. Notre Dame (21-2, ACC)
3. Texas (24-2, SEC)
4. South Carolina (22-2, SEC)
5. LSU (25-1, SEC)
6. USC (21-2, Big Ten)
7. UConn (22-3, Big East)
8. Kentucky (19-3, SEC)
9. Ohio State (20-3, Big Ten)
10. NC State (19-4, ACC)
11. TCU (22-3, Big 12)
12. North Carolina (21-4, ACC)
13. Duke (19-5, ACC)
14. Kansas State (22-3, Big 12)
15. Tennessee (17-6, SEC)
16. Oklahoma (18-6, SEC)
17. Maryland (19-5, Big Ten)
18. West Virginia (19-4, Big 12)
19. Georgia Tech (20-4, ACC)
20. Oklahoma State (19-4, Big 12)
21. Alabama (20-5, SEC)
22. Michigan State (18-5, Big Ten)
23. Florida State (19-5, ACC)
24. Creighton (20-4, Big East)
25. Baylor (20-5, Big 12)

Napheesa Collier Talks the Future of Unrivaled on ‘Sports Are Fun!’ with Kelley O’Hara

Cover image for Sports Are Fun! with Kelley O'Hara showing Unrivaled co-founder and WNBA star Napheesa Collier.
WNBA star and Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier guest stars on this week's 'Sports Are Fun!'

Welcome to another episode of Sports Are Fun! presented by TurboTax.

The second episode of Sports Are Fun! dropped today, with soccer icon Kelley O'Hara, sports journalist Greydy Diaz, and JWS intern BJ professing their hottest takes all things women's sports — joined this week by WNBA superstar and Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball co-founder Napheesa Collier.

"It felt like everyone is making money off of women's sports except for the women in the sports," Collier said, reflecting on developing the offseason league's profit-sharing business model.

"And so, we offer the highest average team salary in women's sports, and we're giving equity to everyone who's playing."

In addition to chatting with Collier about all things Unrivaled, the crew also gets into even more WNBA offseason moves, Midge Purce's return to Gotham, Hope Solo's TST team, South Carolina and UConn's upcoming NCAA battle, and so much more.

Collier gives 'Sports Are Fun!' the inside scoop on Unrivaled

Guest star Napheesa Collier takes the group on a deep dive into offseason league Unrivaled. She talks through everything from dealing with injuries and living with teammates 24/7 to handling a business and going head-to-head in this week's 1v1 tournament.

"I mean, we're all in in one place, right? Our locker rooms are all in one hallway, we share food spaces, training spaces like cold tubs, saunas — all communal areas except for locker rooms." Collier says, describing the league's Miami campus. "It's really fun to see that behind-the-scenes stuff happening in real time."

"I have my own room, which is unlike what happened in college," she continues with a laugh. "I would compare it more to the Wubble, except, you know, we have free will this time around. But the the close proximity I actually really like — I think it's really fun. I think it's super convenient, just having everyone in one space. Cutting back on travel also is so, so nice."

Of course, the future is bright for the first-year league. For its second season, Unrivaled is planning to take the show on the road, dropping into cities around the country to give fans a front-row seat to the 3Ă—3 action.

"We are planning to do on-the-road games where we go to a city for a night and we basically play in a full arena and then we make it a whole event for the fans," Collier says, detailing Unrivaled's plans for a takeover tour similar to what the PWHL is currently staging around North America. "Definitely not all the games — just a couple. You can hit markets that aren't necessarily cities where you can bring [regular-season] basketball."

Sports Are Fun! graphic featuring soccer legend Kelley O'Hara.
'Sports Are Fun!' places Kelley O'Hara at the intersection of women's sports and fun. (Just Women's Sports)

About 'Sports Are Fun!' with Kelley O'Hara

'Sports Are Fun!' is a show that’ll remind you why you fell in love with women's sports in the first place. Join World Cup champ, Olympic gold medalist, and aspiring barista Kelley O'Hara as she sits down with sports journalist Greydy Diaz and a revolving cast of co-hosts and friends. Together, they're talking the biggest, funnest, and most need-to-know stories in the world of women’s sports.

From on-court drama to off-field shenanigans, to candid (and silly) chats with the most important personalities in the space, this show screams "Sports Are Fun!"

Subscribe to Just Women's Sports on YouTube to never miss an episode.

Unrivaled 1v1 Tournament Busts Brackets in First-Round Blowouts

Mist star Breanna Stewart looks on during an Unrivaled game.
Breanna Stewart fell 12-0 to Mist teammate Aaliyah Edwards in Monday's 1v1 tournament opener. (Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball launched its inaugural 1v1 tournament on Monday night, with a slate of first-round upsets​ already busting a few brackets.

The evening's biggest twist came courtesy of Unrivaled co-founder and No. 1 seed Breanna Stewart's matchup against No. 8 seed Aaliyah Edwards, with Edwards earning a marquee victory by shutting out her Mist teammate 12-0 in less than two minutes of gameplay.

Due to a spat of injuries affecting the 1v1 contest, a lone second-round bye emerged in the bracket just beyond the Stewart-Edwards matchup. Consequently, Monday's victory punched Edwards's ticket all the way into the tournament's quarterfinal round.

"Tough night for me but shoutout to my Mistie @AaliyahEdwards_!!! Keep that thing going and go get that bag đź’°!!" Stewart posted in support after her loss.

Also claiming a massive upset win on Monday was the Lunar Owls' Shakira Austin, who ousted Rose BC's Chelsea "Point Gawd" Gray with a dominant 12-2 scoreline.

The significant margins of victory across the 1v1 contest are in large part due to the tournament's "make-it, take-it" rule.

In a break from traditional 5Ă—5 play and Unrivaled's 3Ă—3 format, the unique 1v1 rule rewards scoring with both points on the board as well as continued ball possession. Therefore, athletes can string together long scoring stretches as long as they don't relinquish the ball.

The Laces' Jackie Young tries to defend a shot from the Lunar Owls' Shakira Austin during and Unrivaled 3x3 game.
With Shakira Austin's Monday upset win, all five Lunar Owls remain in the 1v1 competition. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Lunar Owls show out as 15 players remain in 1v1 tournament

With a $350,000 total purse on the line, intensity on the Unrivaled court ramped up in the head-to-head competition.

Putting the first round behind them, 15 players remain in the running for the $200,000 first-place prize.

Notably, all five Lunar Owls players who entered the 1v1 competition — Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Courtney Williams, and the aforementioned Austin — survived Monday's bouts.

This gives the squad, who also leads the 3Ă—3 league as the only remaining undefeated team, the best shot at claiming the $10,000-per-teammate payout should one of them win the 1v1 title.

Rose BC's Kahleah Copper lays up a shot during an Unrivaled game.
Tuesday's Unrivaled 1v1 action will tip off with Kahleah Copper against Allisha Gray. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

How to watch Tuesday's Unrivaled 1v1 tournament

Tuesday's session includes both the second round and quarterfinals of the 1v1 competition.

The action tips off with a blockbuster 7 PM ET battle between Rose BC's Kahleah Copper and the Lunar Owls' Allisha Gray.

Live coverage will air on TruTV.

Hayes Taps Future USWNT Stars for 2025 SheBelieves Cup Roster

USWNT players Lily Yohannes, Cat Macario, Jenna Nighswonger, and Emily Fox hold the 2024 SheBelieves Cup trophy.
Lily Yohannes, Catarina Macario, Jenna Nighswonger, and Emily Fox are all returning to February's SheBelieves Cup. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes dropped her 23-player roster for February's 2025 SheBelieves Cup on Tuesday, showcasing a lineup that centers both the team's immediate future and Hayes's long-term strategy.

For their upcoming matches against No. 8 Japan, No. 15 Australia, and No. 21 Colombia in the 10th edition of the annual US-hosted tournament, the world No. 1 USWNT will be without several superstar veterans.

Absences include midfielder Rose Lavelle, who is still recovering from an offseason ankle surgery, and center-back stalwart Naomi Girma, who is working back from a calf injury.

The team will also miss the 'Triple Espresso' frontline trio of Sophia Wilson (née Smith), Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman. Rodman has yet to return to international play since earning gold at the Paris Olympics.

Roster allows young USWNT players to level up

The roster represents Hayes's first group for friendly competition since early December, as the US begins the long journey of preparing for their next major tournament: the 2027 World Cup.

For Hayes, the aforementioned injuries and absences offer an opportunity to bolster the team's depth by giving young players experience against top international teams.

"There's no point in me sitting in two and a half years time and saying actually, if there was an injury to key players, have I prepared the entire playing pool adequately?" Hayes said on Tuesday.

"We are facing three excellent teams with three very different styles and the tournament will be a great test to see who can perform against world-class players, but to see that, we need to give them opportunities," she explained in the US Soccer press release.

US defender Gisele Thompson passes the ball during the U-20 World Cup in September 2024.
Gisele Thompson is one of four uncapped players on the February USWNT roster. (Julian Medina/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Fresh faces to join USWNT vets at 2025 SheBelieves Cup

To that end, the upcoming camp includes 10 players with fewer than five senior team appearances. Four of those players are uncapped, including midfielder Claire Hutton, forward Michelle Cooper, and defenders Gisele Thompson and Tara McKeown. All four impressed Hayes during her January camps and all have experience in youth level World Cups.

"I want to see what they look like within the WNT setup to determine, do they have the necessary qualities right now to be in the WNT, or do they go back to the Futures [camp] come April," said Hayes.

On the other hand, the 2025 SheBelieves Cup roster does include 12 members of the 2024 Olympic squad, including captain Lindsey Heaps (née Horan), Crystal Dunn, and Emily Sonnett — the only players on Hayes's February lineup with more than 100 caps.

Also notably back in USWNT action is midfielder Catarina Macario, who has returned to form with her club, Chelsea FC, after an ongoing knee injury forced her to withdraw from last summer's Olympic roster.

Ultimately, the US is in the experimental stage of the long preparation for the 2027 World Cup, complete with the risks and rewards that accompany long-term roster development.

The USWNT's February roster

  • Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals)
  • Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City)
  • Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Heaps (Olympique Lyonnais), Claire Hutton (KC Current), Jaedyn Shaw (NC Courage), Lily Yohannes (Ajax)
  • Forwards: Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign), Michelle Cooper (KC Current), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City)

How to watch the USWNT at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup

The No. 1 USWNT will first face No. 21 Colombia at 8 PM ET on Thursday, February 20th, before battling No. 15 Australia at 5 PM ET on Sunday, February 23rd.

They will complete their 2025 SheBelieves Cup play against No. 8 Japan at 10:30 PM ET on Wednesday, February 26th.

All of the tournament's USWNT matches will air live on TBS.

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