Caitlin Clark needs little introduction.<\/p>\n
Clark’s\u00a0emergence in the NCAA, years before she first suited up for a WNBA game, has been attributed to the spike in popularity of women’s basketball. As a guard at the University of Iowa, Clark’s games drew millions of viewers while she neared — and eventually shattered — Pete Maravich’s record for points scored in a college career.<\/p>\n
When the Indiana Fever selected Clark at the top of the 2024 WNBA Draft, nearly 2.5 million people tuned in<\/a>\u00a0— and WNBA games that season drew more paying fans than at any point in two decades<\/a>.<\/p>\n After leading the Fever to the playoffs in 2024, Clark raised eyebrows when she opted not to participate in the offseason Unrivaled league, the 3-on-3 competition that has gained significant traction as a domestic alternative to overseas play in between WNBA seasons. Ahead of Unrivaled’s second season, the league co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart pushed hard to land Clark’s signature — but the superstar point guard’s continued absence looms large over a star-studded list of 48 players confirmed for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n Why isn’t Clark playing in Unrivaled?<\/p>\n Injuries disrupted Clark’s second season in the WNBA. Despite leading all players in All-Star voting, Clark was limited to only 13 games in 2025 as she battled groin and ankle injuries; she announced on Sept. 4 that she was shut down for the season, and the Fever made an inspiring run to the WNBA semifinals without her.<\/p>\n Despite reportedly offering Clark a seven-figure deal and a pathway to equity<\/a> in the startup competition, Unrivaled still has not been able to entice the two-time WNBA All-Star to Miami for 3-on-3 action. It was confirmed last month that Clark would not join four of her Fever teammates in Unrivaled as she seeks to recover fully from her injury-plagued sophomore year in the pros.<\/p>\n BREAKING: Caitlin Clark will not play in Unrivaled this season, per @FOS<\/a>. <\/p>\n It’s the second straight year in which Clark will not participate in women’s basketball’s newest league. pic.twitter.com\/739DUcc98b<\/a><\/p>\n