🎉 Championship Glory: Rose BC's Path to Greatness

The First Unrivaled Champions Are Crowned

The journey began with a vision: a league built differently, where the best of the best could compete on their own terms.

Now that vision is reality. The first-ever Unrivaled Championship has been decided, and the Rose stand atop the league as the inaugural champions. They outlasted fierce competition, taking down the Laces in the Semifinals before making history with a win against Vinyl to claim the championship.

The Unrivaled offseason may be beginning, but we’re not going anywhere. We’ll be dropping newsletters twice a month starting in April, so stay tuned for what’s next. Until then, let’s look back at the exciting road to the championship.

How the Final 2 Clubs Emerged

The road to the championship was anything but easy. Here’s how the Rose and Vinyl punched their tickets to the final stage.

🏀 Semifinal 1: Vinyl vs. Lunar Owls
The Lunar Owls gave the Vinyl everything they could handle, with Skylar Diggins-Smith and Unrivaled MVP Napheesa Collier leading a fierce attack. But Vinyl stayed composed, with Rhyne Howard’s explosive 23-point performance setting the tone early. As the game tightened, Jordin Canada took over, attacking the defense with precision and dropping 21 points—including 10 in the fourth quarter—to ensure Vinyl stayed in control. With the game on the line, Dearica Hamby delivered the dagger, sealing Vinyl’s place in the championship game with a clutch shot.

🏀 Semifinal 2: Rose vs. Laces
This game was a showcase of pure will and determination. The Laces came out strong behind Alyssa Thomas’ dominant 20-point performance and Tiffany Hayes’ relentless scoring attack. But Chelsea Gray refused to let the Rose fall, dropping an unbelievable record 39 points, including a game-winner. Azurá Stevens controlled the boards with 18 rebounds, shutting down the Laces’ second-chance opportunities. The Laces fought to the very last play, making it one of the most thrilling games of the season.

That’s Unrivaled

A champion is defined as a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition. Rose BC proved that no other rivals exist and each player added another accolade to their already legendary resumes. This is the club that ultimately changed the game. As the first-ever champions take their victory lap, we’re celebrating this historic moment in a way only Unrivaled can.

🏆 Champions, Cemented in History
Their journey of the Rose was one of resilience, teamwork, and clutch performances, proving that every possession matters in Unrivaled.

📍 Spotted in the City?
Look out for Unrivaled Championship billboards lighting up major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia and Minneapolis. If you see one, snap a pic and tag us on social media!

🔥 The Merch Drop You Can’t Miss
To commemorate this historic season, we dropped Unrivaled Championship gear. Whether you’re a Rosebud or just love repping the league, this is your chance to own a piece of history.

🏀 That’s Unrivaled
Defeating and surpassing all rivals in a league with no underdogs? Now that’s Unrivaled! Hear it from Lisa Leslie in our TV spot that ran following Monday’s game, capturing the Rose’s raw emotion and unforgettable road to the championship.

Just Made History

The journey to the title started before the Rose was assigned its players in the Basketball Club Selection. It began when Unrivaled added Chelsea Gray as its third player signing, following co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier launching the league. Built with a mix of veteran leadership and rising stars, Rose had its sights set on making history. Here’s how they did it.

• Basketball Club Selection: Rose signed Chelsea Gray, Azurá Stevens, Angel Reese, Kahleah Copper, Brittney Sykes, and Lexie Hull, setting the tone for the season.

• Nola Henry Named Head Coach: Coach Henry became the first Black woman to lead a professional women’s basketball team to a championship.

• Early Season Adjustments: Rose lost their first two games but turned things around, proving that resilience defines champions.

• 1 on 1 Tournament: Azurá Stevens powered her way through the inaugural Unrivaled 1 on 1 Tournament, with dominant wins over Shakira Austin (11-4) and Rae Burrell (12-2) before falling to Queen Phee in the semifinals.

• February Fire: Five-straight wins in the month of February set the Rose up for a late season push.

• All Eyes on the Playoffs: The Rose entered the postseason locked in, with Gray leading the charge on offense and Angel Reese dominating on defense…

• Defensive Player of the Year: Angel Reese took home DPOY honors for her relentless play throughout the season, leading the league with 12.1 rebounds per game.

• Key Additions: Naz Hillmon and Natisha Hiedeman provided a crucial boost to the Rose, adding depth and energy to the lineup. Their impact was felt immediately, with both players contributing key moments down the stretch.

• Semifinal Battle: In a hard-fought game, the Rose outlasted the Laces behind a monster performance from the Point Gawd who put up 39 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.

• Championship Game: The Rose pulled away late against the Vinyl, with Brittney Sykes leading the way with 21 points, Azurá Stevens dominating the boards with 18 rebounds and Point Gawd wrapping things up by winning Playoff MVP.

And Season 2? You won’t want to miss it.

Who Called Game?

In a league where every game includes a game-winning shot, let’s review the final three players who stamped victories for their clubs during the Unrivaled Playoffs.

🏀 Semifinal 1: Dearica Hamby delivered the clutch shot that secured Vinyl’s win over the Lunar Owls.

🏀 Semifinal 2: Chelsea Gray hit the game-winning dagger for the Rose in a thrilling victory over the Laces.

🏆 Championship Game: Brittney Sykes clinched the title for the Rose with a crucial and-one play to end the game.

Playoff MVP Spotlight

Chelsea Gray was named the 2025 Unrivaled Playoff MVP after averaging 28.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game during the playoffs. In the championship game, Point Gawd tallied 18 points and 8 assists, making clutch plays in the biggest moments.

A true leader on- and off-the-court, Gray set the tone for the Rose’s championship run.

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The Best is Yet to Come!

The first Unrivaled season may be over, but the movement continues. We’ll be dropping biweekly updates throughout the offseason starting in April, bringing you news, updates, and sneak peeks at Season 2.

📅 Keep an eye on your inbox. We’ll see you soon!