Kelsey Mitchell, Paige Bueckers, Allisha Gray, and Breanna Stewart have been announced as the top seeds for the highly anticipated second annual Unrivaled 1-on-1 tournament, set to take place next week at Sephora Arena in Miami. The four elite players earned their positions following input from fans, coaches, players, and media, leading to an exciting matchup lineup in this 32-player tournament.
This year’s competition introduces a fresh format with participants organized into four quadrants classified by position—bigs, wings, and two distinct groups of guards based on size. The tournament is off to a thrilling start, with games kicking off on Wednesday and continuing through to the finals on Saturday, February 14.
Napheesa Collier, the reigning champion from the inaugural tournament in 2025, will be absent this year due to injuries sustained during her WNBA season, making way for a new champion to emerge. Each match will either finish when a player reaches 11 points or after a ten-minute timer runs out, accompanied by a seven-second shot clock. The climax of the tournament will feature a best-of-three format final, with the ultimate winner taking home a substantial prize of $200,000, while the runner-up secures $50,000.
Stewart is particularly eager to reclaim her spot after an early exit in the last year’s competition, where she failed to score against Aaliyah Edwards. Meanwhile, Gray advanced further last season but also faced defeat against Edwards. Both Mitchell and Bueckers are newcomers to the event, with excitement surrounding their debut performances.
The tournament will see 16 returning players from last year, including five of the eight quarterfinalists—Gray, Edwards, Rae Burrell, Arike Ogunbowale, and Courtney Williams. Notable newcomers such as Kelsey Plum, Marina Mabrey, and Alyssa Thomas will join Bueckers and Mitchell in introducing a fresh dynamic to the competition.
First-round matchups to keep an eye on include Chelsea Gray versus Natasha Cloud, Kahleah Copper against Rickea Jackson, Mabrey facing Sonia Citron, and Aliyah Boston squaring off against Alyssa Thomas. The inaugural Unrivaled tournament last year attracted an average viewership of 377,000 for the semifinals and final, a figure fueled in part by NBA All-Star cross-promotion on TNT.
As the excitement builds for the Unrivaled 1-on-1 tournament, fans are hopeful for thrilling displays of skill and competition, contributing to a growing legacy in women’s basketball. The outcome of this tournament not only promises high-stakes matches but also the celebration of athleticism and talent in the sport.