Angel Reese Withdraws From Unrivaled 2026 Season Roster

Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky star and Defensive Player of the Year from Unrivaled's inaugural season, will not participate in the league's 2026 season despite her prior strong performance and championship win with Rose BC. Her absence follows speculation about frustrations with league officiating, including a notable ejection during a game, which may have influenced her decision to step away. Reese has expressed positive sentiments about Unrivaled's impact on her development but has not announced current offseason basketball plans and has been involved in other pursuits like modeling. Other notable players such as Jewell Loyd and Kayla McBride are also not returning, while new additions like Dominique Malonga, Aari McDonald, and Rebecca Allen join the expanded roster. The league continues without some of its biggest stars, including 2025 MVP A’ja Wilson and 2024 Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, though it boasts participation from about 80% of All-WNBA First and Second Teams. Reese's absence is seen as a significant loss for Unrivaled, highlighting ongoing challenges in retaining top talent despite the league's growing profile.