Saniya Rivers is set to appear in Unrivaled for the first time. But it’s not just the new league format or higher salaries that have her excited. She’s especially thrilled about playing alongside Kelsey Mitchell. And for Rivers, that comes with a clear advantage.

As she herself puts it better, “First of all, I’m glad I don’t have to guard Kelsey Mitchell for three months,” she said. “That alone excites me the most.” she said, speaking on the December 19 episode of WNBA on NBC.

And she’s got a reason behind it. 

After all, Mitchell is one of the elite guards out there. She’s coming off one of the strongest seasons of her career with the Indiana Fever. Despite an injury-hit roster, she carried the offense and dominated consistently. 

She averaged 20.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. She finished second in the league in total points with 890. She plays at a relentless pace. She attacks the paint with speed and remains deadly from deep. 

And that’s why she’s been one of the most reliable perimeter scorers all season. She even led the league with 111 made three-pointers.

Given that production, her All-WNBA First Team selection, and strong MVP consideration came as no surprise. So her reputation as one of the hardest players to guard in the league is well-earned. Also, Rivers isn’t alone in that belief.

What Kelsey Plum Got to Say About Kelsey Mitchell? 

Even Los Angeles Sparks veteran Kelsey Plum has spoken openly about how difficult Mitchell is to defend. “You know who’s really hard to guard and doesn’t get enough flowers? Kelsey Mitchell,” Plum said in July. “She’s so fast. She can stop on a dime.”

She went on to explain what separates Mitchell from most guards. “A lot of guards significantly prefer either pulling up or going to the rim. With Kelsey, it’s 50/50. You never know which way she’s going.”

So it’s easy to understand why Rivers is excited. This will be Mitchell’s first appearance in Unrivaled. While she has dominated traditional five-on-five basketball, Unrivaled thrives on one-on-one and three-on-three formats.

The league demands instinct, creativity, and quick reads. Something that would be on full display when Unrivaled opens its second season in Miami on January 5.

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi