Three Connecticut Sun players are preparing for the upcoming Unrivaled season, which marks the second year of the league. The previous season saw significant success and growing popularity, with more fans and media attention than ever before.

The Connecticut Sun has three players participating in the Unrivaled league: Aaliyah Edwards, Marina Mabrey, and Saniya Rivers. Edwards and Mabrey are both part of the Lunar Owls BC team, while Rivers will be playing for the Hive BC.

The Hive was one of two expansion teams in the Unrivaled league, with the other being the Breeze BC. This is a strong indicator of the league’s growth and success during its inaugural season. Although the season hasn’t started yet, the addition of these two new teams shows that the Unrivaled is gaining momentum and attracting more talent.

Rivers will be playing alongside several experienced players, including Monique Billings, Natisha Hiedeman, Ezi Magbegor, Sonia Citron, and Kelsey Mitchell. Rena Wakama, who serves as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky, will be the head coach for the Hive BC.

At just 22 years old, Rivers is one of the younger players on the team, but her performance during her rookie year with the Sun proved that she has the potential to make a big impact. Her ability on the court is undeniable, and there is no doubt about her capabilities.

High Production, More Development

After being selected eighth overall in the first round of the 2025 WNBA draft, Rivers quickly made a name for herself. She was widely regarded as one of the most promising players on the team during her rookie season.

In her first year, Rivers averaged 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, shooting 40.7% from the field over 42 games. She became a key player for the Sun and was the only rookie in Connecticut history to finish a WNBA season with at least 370 points, 115 rebounds, 110 assists, and 60 steals — an impressive feat for such a young player. The only other player to achieve this was Tamika Catchings in 2002.

If Rivers can maintain the same level of performance with the Hive BC, it could be a historic season for the Unrivaled league. She has already proven that she can produce high numbers on the court, so it’s reasonable to expect that she will bring the same energy and skill to the new team. While it may take some time for her to adjust to the new environment, she is not known for slow starts.

The Hive will open their season on January 5 at 1 p.m. EST against Mist BC. The game will be available to watch on TruTV and HBO Max. This match will not only mark Rivers’ first game in the Unrivaled league but also the first game of the season. Fans are eager to see if Rivers can carry the same momentum she showed during the regular season.

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