Will Connecticut Sun Duo Bring Lunar Owls to Unrivaled Playoffs?

The Connecticut Sun duo could have a shot at reaching Unrivaled Playoffs in 2026 with the Lunar Owls.

Maria Aldrich | Nov 18, 2025

Sep 6, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (3) looks for an opening sgasindt Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. / David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Connecticut Sun is approaching the second Unrivaled basketball season, with three stars in the mix. Saniya Rivers will be competing with the Hive Basketball Club after shining during her rookie WNBA campaign. Marina Mabrey and Aaliyah Edwards will be playing together for the Lunar Owls Basketball Club.

Unrivaled was originally made up of six teams: Phantom BC, Mist BC, Vinyl BC, Laces BC, Rose BC and Lunar Owls BC. However, the league expanded, and two new teams are debuting in January: Hive BC and Breeze BC.

During its inaugural year, Unrivaled was largely dominated by the Vinyl, Laces, Rose and the Lunar Owls — the four teams that reached the playoffs. The Lunar Owls finished the season with an impressive overall record of 13-1, and it looks like they will be following a similar trajectory in 2026.

Expectations Are High

A female basketball player in an orange uniform shooting an orange and white basketball while being guarded by a player.

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Lunar Owls are equipped with a talented roster this year. Playing alongside Mabrey and Edwards will be Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx), Rebecca Allen (Chicago Sky), Skylar Diggins (Seattle Storm) and Rachel Banham (Chicago Sky). Head coach DJ Sackmann will be at the helm once again, one year after being named Unrivaled's Coach of the Year.

Expectations are incredibly high for the Lunar Owls this year after having a stellar run in the past, so it's hard to imagine a world in which they don't succeed. In fact, in early November, Chelsea Leite of Bleacher Report carefully placed the Lunar Owls at No. 2 in her initial power rankings.

"With Collier and Skylar Diggins now joined by 1-on-1 tournament runner-up Aaliyah Edwards, Marina Mabrey, Rachel Banham and Rebecca Allen, the club is looking strong again," Leite explained. "They have a great mix of size, versatility and shooting ability."

Mabrey was one of Connecticut's top shooters in 2025, averaging 14.4 points per game, trailing Tina Charles, who averaged 16.3 points per game. Mabrey brings her shooting abilities to the Lunar Owls, and Edwards brings a high level of versatility and a strong defensive front to the court.

With the Lunar Owls already having a successful season under their belt, the bar is set high. However, Leite said it best, "... the Lunar Owls are still packing a punch."

Unrivaled is an opportunity for athletes to connect with players they might not otherwise have the chance to play with, but it's also a way for athletes to fine-tune their game in preparation for the upcoming 2026 WNBA campaign.

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Published Nov 18, 2025|Modified Nov 18, 2025

MARIA ALDRICH

Maria Aldrich graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Wilderness Education. While earning her degrees, she learned the fundamentals of climbing, wilderness travel and leadership in the backcountry. These skills built upon Maria's lifelong passion for the outdoors. Following graduation, she began working in the outdoor recreation field, serving individuals with disabilities to help them access outdoor pursuits including hiking, paddling, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. The following year, Maria moved to the Adirondack Mountains in New York State to continue working towards a life of adventure and writing. She has continued rock and ice climbing, hiking in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, and paddling through various rivers while documenting her experiences through writing. When Maria isn’t adventuring in the mountains, she can be found reading a book, fishing on a shoreline or spending time with family