Angel Reese and Sabrina Ionescu will not be competing in Unrivaled’s upcoming 1-on-1 tournament due to contractual exemptions. The league confirmed that both players, along with Brittney Griner, Stefanie Dolson, and Courtney Vandersloot, have chosen to opt out under these exemptions.
Ionescu is currently recovering from surgery she underwent in December 2024 to repair a torn UCL in her right thumb. Although she has been medically cleared to take part in Unrivaled’s 3-on-3 league, she has not yet fully regained her health. In addition to her recovery, Ionescu has prior commitments during the NBA All-Star Weekend in mid-February, which overlaps with the tournament schedule.
Meanwhile, Reese’s reason for not participating has not been publicly disclosed. While she has been granted an exemption, no specific details have been shared regarding why she will not take part in the competition.
The 1-on-1 tournament is scheduled to take place from February 10 to 14, 2025, featuring 30 of the top WNBA players. The event will follow a single-elimination format, with the winner receiving a $200,000 grand prize. Additionally, other competitors will have the opportunity to earn financial incentives based on their performance.
