Unrivaled announced Monday that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-liberty">New York Liberty</a> star Sabrina Ionescu has secured the league’s final wild-card spot and will join Phantom Basketball Club. Her inclusion completes the league’s roster pool.



The announcement comes as a surprise following a report by ESPN’s Alexa Philippou in December that Ionescu underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL in her right thumb, an injury sustained during the 2024 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/wnba">WNBA</a> Finals.



Despite the setback, Ionescu is expected to resume basketball activities four weeks post-surgery, aligning with the start of Unrivaled’s season on January 17. Phantom Basketball Club will tip off against Laces Basketball Club the following day.



<h2>Ionescu bolsters phantom’s star-studded lineup</h2>



Ionescu joins Phantom through a wild-card selection finalized Saturday as part of a three-team roster adjustment. She will play alongside Satou Sabally, Marina Mabrey, Brittney Griner, Natasha Cloud, and Katie Lou Samuelson.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241223_BUS_299058_sabrina-ionescu-new-york-liberty-1024x576_06b490b2.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="sabrina ionescu" class="wp-image-299191" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23155019/sabrina-ionescu-new-york-liberty-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23155019/sabrina-ionescu-new-york-liberty-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23155019/sabrina-ionescu-new-york-liberty-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23155019/sabrina-ionescu-new-york-liberty-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23155019/sabrina-ionescu-new-york-liberty-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23155019/sabrina-ionescu-new-york-liberty-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23155019/sabrina-ionescu-new-york-liberty-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/23155019/sabrina-ionescu-new-york-liberty.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu (IMAGO)</figcaption></figure>



The 27-year-old is coming off a stellar 2024 WNBA season, where she averaged 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. She also delivered a defining moment in Liberty history, sinking a deep three-pointer in the final seconds of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx.


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<h2>Ionescu reportedly commands league’s highest salary</h2>



According to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Ionescu’s Unrivaled contract “puts her in a category of her own” within the league’s 36-player roster. Players in Unrivaled’s inaugural season will reportedly earn an average salary exceeding $200,000, along with equity rights in the league.



While Unrivaled pursued Caitlin Clark with a reported $1 million offer and additional benefits, Ionescu’s inclusion bolsters a roster already featuring co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, as well as Angel Reese.



<h2>How Unrivaled will work?</h2>



Unrivaled will feature six teams of six players each, competing in a 3v3 format. The season will span eight weeks, kicking off on January 17, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Teams will play a six-week round-robin schedule, with the top four advancing to a two-week postseason.



Additionally, a season-long 1v1 tournament will add another layer of competition. Unlike standard FIBA rules, games will be played on a 70-by-50-foot court with four quarters, a game clock, and a shot clock.



Fans can catch the action on TNT Sports, with streaming available on Max.

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu joins Unrivaled, completes the roster

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New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu joins Unrivaled, completes the roster - Bolavip US

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The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-liberty">New York Liberty</a> star Sabrina Ionescu underwent surgery last Friday to repair an injury in her right thumb, according to multiple reports. According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, the surgery was “to stabilize the ulnar collateral ligament in her right thumb,” and it was a success.



The guard, who celebrated her 27th birthday on Friday, posted a photo on social media on Sunday with a large cast covering her hand and thumb, while celebrating her birthday. In the caption she wrote: “ps: getting my thumb fixed was quite the bday present.”



Philippo reports that Ionescu, who already started rehabilitation, is expected to return to the court in four weeks. ESPN also states that she sustained the injury during the Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, which the Liberty ultimately won in the decisive Game 5 after defeating the Minnesota Lynx.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241210_BUS_289707_sabrina-ionescu-1024x576_ca07ffdb.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="sabrina ionescu" class="wp-image-289716" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/09213439/sabrina-ionescu-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/09213439/sabrina-ionescu-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/09213439/sabrina-ionescu-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/09213439/sabrina-ionescu-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/09213439/sabrina-ionescu-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/09213439/sabrina-ionescu-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/09213439/sabrina-ionescu-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/09213439/sabrina-ionescu.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Sabrina Ionescu’s post on Instagram (IG: @sabrina_i)</figcaption></figure>



Precisely, Ionescu struggled in Game 5, going 1-for-19 overall and missing nine of 10 shots from the 3-point line and scoring five points. However, she contributed with 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.


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<h2>Ionescu’s top season</h2>



Sabrina Ionescu continued her dominant run in the 2024 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/wnba">WNBA</a> season, solidifying her status as one of the league’s premier talents. The New York Liberty star averaged an impressive 18.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game, showcasing her all-around brilliance.



Ionescu’s leadership and scoring prowess were instrumental in leading the Liberty to a championship season, a historic moment for the franchise. Her exceptional performance earned her a spot on the All-WNBA Second Team for the third consecutive year, further cementing her legacy in the league.

WNBA News: New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu has surgery on her thumb

WNBA News: New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu has surgery on her thumb - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/wnba">WNBA</a> is gearing up for its expansion draft on December 6th, which will determine the initial roster for the Golden State Valkyries. As the league’s newest franchise, the Valkyries will have the opportunity to select up to 12 players from the existing teams, but no more than one from each team.



To protect their key players, existing teams can designate up to six players as ineligible for selection. This includes current roster members and players whose draft rights they hold, meaning that it also includes the “core” players.



The Valkyries face challenges in building a competitive team, especially as there are top players like New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart and Nneka Ogwumike are protected due to their core designations.



The upcoming CBA negotiations further complicate matters, as many players are opting for one-year contracts to maximize their earning potential. This could limit the Valkyries’ options in the expansion draft and force them to rely on the college draft to build their team.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241127_BUS_280993_jonquel-jones-1024x576_e80fabd4.webp&amp;width=650&amp;height=365" alt="jonquel jones" class="wp-image-281024" width="650" height="365" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jonquel-jones-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jonquel-jones-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jonquel-jones-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jonquel-jones-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jonquel-jones-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jonquel-jones-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jonquel-jones-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/jonquel-jones.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></figure><figcaption>Jonquel Jones will become an unrestricted free agent (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



As the expansion draft approaches, the WNBA landscape is shifting. The Valkyries will need to make strategic decisions to assemble a roster that can compete in the league. The list of the protected players won’t be public.


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<h2>What happens with the unrestricted free agents that can’t be cored?</h2>



While the Valkyries can technically select any unprotected unrestricted free agent, practical limitations exist. Players who have already been cored twice, such as DeWanna Bonner, Tina Charles, Brittney Griner, Natasha Howard, Brionna Jones, and Nneka Ogwumike, are essentially off-limits. Since these players cannot be cored again by their current teams or by the Valkyries, selecting them would serve no purpose.



<h2>Who can the Valkyries pick?</h2>



The Valkyries can select almost any player who was on a WNBA roster at the end of the 2024 regular season. This includes active players, suspended players, players on draft lists, reserved players, and even retired players. However, they cannot select players who were on hardship contracts or unrestricted free agents who haven’t been cored by a team.



<h2>What can existing teams do to protect their players?</h2>



To protect their core players, existing teams can submit a list of up to six players who will be ineligible for selection by the Valkyries. This includes both active roster players and players with future rights, such as draft picks or reserved players.



<h2>When is the Expansion Draft taking place?</h2>



It will take place on December 6th.

new york liberty

New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu joins Unrivaled, completes the roster

WNBA News: New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu has surgery on her thumb

WNBA News: Which players can be protected for the next expansion draft?