| Athletes Unlimited Basketball | |
| Current Season: | 2023 Athletes Unlimited Basketball season |
| Pixels: | 290px |
| Sport: | Basketball |
| Founded: | 2022 |
| Inaugural: | 2022 |
| Countries: | --> |
| Champion: | NaLyssa Smith |
| Website: | Athletes Unlimited |
| Tv: | WNBA League Pass CBS Sports Network Bally Sports Women's Sports Network[1] |
Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball is a women's professional basketball league in the United States, founded in 2022. Athletes Unlimited announced the intention to create a basketball league on October 12, 2021, following the creations of Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball, Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball, and Athletes Unlimited Pro Lacrosse.[2]
Athletes Unlimited was founded by Jonathan Soros and Jon Patricof.[3] There are no team owners, and league investors are capping their returns. Athletes share in the league profits, and are involved in the daily decision making.[4] [5]
The format in which teams are redrafted each week allows athletes to accumulate points for both individual and team performances, culminating with one individual winner. [6]
The first season of AU Pro Basketball featured 44 players competing in a five-week season from January 26 through February 26, 2022 and took place in Las Vegas.
The second season was played in Dallas, Texas and ran from February 22 to March 26, 2023.[7]
| Year | Champion | Points | Runner-up | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Tianna Hawkins | 6,831 | Natasha Cloud | 5,919 |
| 2023 | NaLyssa Smith | 6,811 | Naz Hillmon | 6,660 |
| 2024 | Allisha Gray | 6,918 | Odyssey Sims | 6,046 |