WNBA Players Shine in Unrivaled 1v1 Tournament First Round Upsets

Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, and Allisha Gray lead the charge as top WNBA players advance from the first round of Unrivaled’s highly competitive 1v1 tournament.

The initial round of Unrivaled’s 1v1 tournament concluded, showcasing eight elite WNBA players who have successfully moved forward: Napheesa Collier, Shakira Austin, Kahleah Copper, Rhyne Howard, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Rickea Jackson, and Breanna Stewart.

Matches were played to a score of 11 points or within a time frame of 10 minutes. Notably, only two higher-seeded players (Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young) did not advance to the upcoming round, scheduled for Tuesday, February 11.

Winners of Unrivaled’s First-Round 1v1 Matchups

Napheesa Collier defeats Katie Lou Samuelson, 12-6: Collier, recognized as Unrivaled’s dominant player, secured her victory effortlessly. Her former UConn teammate Katie Lou Samuelson put up a commendable fight.

Shakira Austin beats Chelsea Gray, 12-2: Standing at 6’5, Shakira Austin utilized her height advantage against Aces point guard Chelsea Gray to achieve an impressive upset.

Kahleah Copper beats Aliyah Boston, 11-6: Kahleah Copper demonstrated her scoring prowess against Aliyah Boston, despite facing a height disadvantage.

Rhyne Howard beats Lexie Hull, 12-7: Lexie Hull managed to score 7 points, the highest for any losing player, but it was insufficient to outmatch Howard’s shooting skills.

Skylar Diggins-Smith defeats Dearica Hamby, 11-3: Despite a significant size disadvantage (5’9 vs. 6’3), Diggins-Smith emerged victorious over Hamby, who ranks as Unrivaled’s third-leading scorer.

Allisha Gray beats Jordin Canada, 11-4: Gray triumphed over her Atlanta Dream teammate Jordin Canada, showcasing her exceptional skills as Unrivaled’s third-leading scorer this season.

Rickea Jackson beats Jackie Young, 11-3: Rookie Rickea Jackson surprised fans by defeating veteran Jackie Young with a dominating performance.

Aaliyah Edwards beats Breanna Stewart, 12-0: In a stunning upset, rookie Aaliyah Edwards swept two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, marking a significant moment in the tournament.

The next round of Unrivaled’s 1v1 tournament is set for February 11, featuring winners and additional players who received a bye in the first round due to a series of injuries. These players include Arike Ogunbowale, Rae Burrell, Azura Stevens, Courtney Williams, Satou Sabally, and DiJonai Carrington.

All participants, alongside the winners from Monday, are competing for a grand prize of $200,000, with the last four players standing each receiving $25,000 and the runner-up earning $50,000. Game play continues on Tuesday.