🏀 Welcome to Unrivaled Weekly

The GIST: You already know Unrivaled will be without one of its biggest stars this season after Lunar Owls icon Napheesa Collier’s double ankle surgery. And there’s even less for Owls fans to “hootie hoo” about after Monday’s 80–62 loss to defending champs Rose BC.

• Let’s discuss what makes Collier so impactful — and what the 0-1 Owls can do during her season-long absence.

💪 Breaking down Collier’s game: Not the flashiest player to lace up sneakers, Collier is unquestionably one of basketball’s best, and the reason is three-fold: Her versatility, high basketball IQ, and elite two-way play make her an absolute menace to line up against.

1️⃣ Versatility: She’s a six-foot-one forward with guard skills. Her deep bag features a complete post package and fadeaway jumpers and threes.

2️⃣ High basketball IQ: It’s not a coincidence that Collier always seems to be in the right place at the right time. She’s savvy, intentional, and moves exceptionally well off the ball.

3️⃣ Elite two-way play: Collier can score from anywhere on the floor, but she also defends all five positions, averaging a league-best two steals and 1.4 blocks per game last season.

👀 There’s a Collier-sized hole in the Owls’ lineup…so now what?: No player on this roster can fill Collier’s sneakers alone — she’s Unrivaled’s reigning MVP for a reason. Replacing Collier’s scoring production would have fallen to Skylar Diggins, who averaged 17.9 points per game last year, but she’s sidelined with a lower body injury, and her return-to-play timeline is uncertain.

• That leaves two likely candidates: Marina Mabrey and Aaliyah Edwards, who combined for 46 points and 20 rebounds in the Owls’ season-opening loss.

• Mabrey’s grit, consistent three-point shooting, and playmaking combined with Edwards’ post presence and blossoming perimeter offense (she faced Collier in last year’s 1-on-1 championship game) address many of the Owls’ gaps — but in two players, not one.