After the stellar success of the debut season, the Unrivaled has kick-started its second edition this year. However, along with all the positives, there have been some negatives too. Soon after the release of their schedule, fans lashed out about the weekday games. Not only that,but they also criticized the timings, which apparently clashed with work timings.
Now, looking at the problem from a positive perspective, it appears to be a fortunate situation to have. After all, when was the last time a female basketball league made the fans excited about its timing? Thus, with some significant upside being teased, the league has now added the likes of Kiana Williams to give further depth to the tournament.
Kiana Williams Added To The Developmental Pool Of Unrivaled
The Unrivaled season might be underway. However, the authorities are continually making efforts to ensure the league is brimming with quality. And in their latest resort to do so, they have added Williams to the developmental pool. Her addition will take the number of players to seven in the pool.
Williams will be joining the likes of Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith, Dallas Wings guards Aziaha James and Haley Jones, Washington Mystics forward Emily Engstler, Golden State Valkyries forward Laeticia Amihere, and Indiana Fever big Makayla Timpson. For the uninitiated, these players are not part of the official roster. But in case there is an injury, the likes of Williams will be ready to fill in.
Phoenix Mercury guard Kiana Williams has been added to Unrivaled's development pool. #WNBA pic.twitter.com/7PB7C5W7NB
— Aya Abdeen (@ayabdeen) January 7, 2026
Back in 2025, Williams signed up with the Phoenix Mercury. However, she could only play 11 games, while averaging 4.1 points per game. As the team decided to waive her in July, Williams was once again re-signed by Phoenix, this time with a rest-of-season contract. Meanwhile, as the league tries to up the ante, Paige Bueckers recently shared an honest revelation.
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Paige Bueckers Terms Unrivaled, More Physical Than The WNBA
Bueckers has seen it all in the WNBA. Playing in her maiden WNBA season, the Dallas Wings guard had a blast. And while she had been breaking many records, Bueckers also noticed the level of physicality the league offers. Surprisingly, after joining the Unrivaled, the 2025 Rookie of the Year feels that the isolation defence makes Unrivaled more brutal.
“We all know that the [WNBA] is physical, but Unrivaled I feel is even more physical than that. And then not being able to have help side, you’re basically on an island. So at points, you’re gonna have to be okay with getting cooked,” said Bueckers.
"We all know that the [WNBA] is physical, but Unrivaled I feel is even more physical than that. And then not being able to have help side, you're basically on an island. So at points, you're gonna have to be okay with getting cooked."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 6, 2026
—Paige Bueckers
pic.twitter.com/D4jT1cYJrZ
Thus, with things looking upbeat, fans are eager to see how the Unrivaled’s season pans out this time.