Kelsey Plum’s withdrawal from Unrivaled leaves the new league with three spots to fill with just weeks to go before the start of its inaugural season – though Sophie Cunningham could be the newest addition.

Plum originally was slated to play for the Laces Basketball Club, alongside Kate Martin, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Alyssa Thomas and Stefanie Dolson under Andrew Wade. On Wednesday, however, the Las Vegas Aces star announced on social media that she would not be partaking in the league’s first season.

On her Instagram Story, Plum wrote: “I’ve decided to not take part in the inaugrual season of Unrivled in order to take some more time for myself this offseason. I appreciate the league understanding and being so accommodating. I wish the league and all of the players nothing but the best and I’m excited to watch!”

Though it is unclear why specifically Plum withdrew from the league, many fans believe it could be the star guard’s way of getting her headspace right after an arduous season. Before the start of the 2024 WNBA season, Plum filed for divorce from Darren Waller after one year of marriage.

With Plum now out of the league, the Laces Basketball Club are in need of another player, which Cunningham could be. Though Cunningham has not expressed her interest in playing in the 3v3 league, she could be just what the Laces, and the league as a whole, needs.

Whether it’s coming off the bench or starting, Cunningham has showed her propensity to be in the action, doing what is needed for the win. Though her scoring went down in 2024, it was due to a multitude of factors, such as her minutes decreasing and coming off the bench for 19 games.

Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury shoots a free throw during the game against the Seattle Storm on September 19, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona

Sophie Cunningham could be Unrivaled’s newest addition after Kelsey Plum withdrew from the league ( 

Image:

Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)

Additionally, Cunningham is remaining stateside, unlike many other WNBA stars who choose to go overseas to help supplement their income. Speaking with WSLAM before the 2024 season, the 28-year-old explained her situation, which could her chances with Unrivaled.

“I think that’s how I’m able to enjoy basketball still because I have that balance. I don’t go overseas, I make it up in marketing money through endorsements,” Cunningham said of why she stays in the United States during the offseason. “And then, I was just blessed with a great opportunity that the Suns needed a broadcaster.”

And while Cunningham is more realistic target for Unrivaled bosses Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, another potential addition could be Chiney Ogwumike. The younger sister of Nneka Ogwumike, the 32-year-old is a pundit for ESPN and though she is still relatively young, she believes her WNBA career is over.

“I don’t think I will return to basketball in the WNBA,” she said, per The Athletic. “The only thing that sort of weighs on my heart is potentially playing with the Nigerian women’s national team in an Olympics… It would have to be in the middle of a time where there’s no basketball. But right now I’m just comfy with where I’m at.”

Although Unrivaled is made up of the best WNBA stars, it technically is not WNBA basketball so it could give Ogwumike an avenue to compete at the highest level still. At the end of the day, while Caitlin Clark is more than likely not going to compete in the league, Colliers’ husband Alex Bezell states a spot will be available to the star.

“I’ve been on record saying Caitlin will always have a spot in our league, and that is true, right? Like, we always want to be a home for the best of the best,” he said, per Sportskeeda. “She’s also first-team all W. We went through our negotiations. Inevitably, she needed time this offseason, which we respect, so we hope to see her next year. She won’t be playing this year.”