The AU Pro Basketball Season 5 is heating up with Week 3, and the draft results are in! But who will lead these teams to victory? The fate of the season hangs in the balance as new captains take the helm.
The top performers from Week 2 have earned their chance to shine, and the captain selection process (explained here: https://auprosports.com/basketball/how-we-play/#captains) has thrown a few curveballs. Let's dive into the details.
Guard Odyssey Sims, a powerhouse on the court, dominated Week Two with an impressive 1,966 leaderboard points. She's ready to lead Gold Rush, but this isn't her first rodeo. Sims, the league's top scorer, has captained 14 times before in her Athletes Unlimited career. Will her experience be the X-factor for Gold Rush?
Forward Natasha Mack is a force to be reckoned with, securing the second spot in Week Two with 1,751 points. Mack, a newcomer to Athletes Unlimited, has made a statement with her league-leading rebounds and an astonishing 20 blocked shots. Can she bring that momentum to her captaincy debut?
Guard Rebekah Gardner, a familiar face in the captain's chair, led her previous team, Glow, to a perfect 3-0 record. Now, she's tasked with guiding Rhythm through Week Three. With 1,506 points in Week Two, Gardner's leadership is undeniable. But will her magic touch continue with a new team?
Guard Shey Peddy, the reigning AU Pro Basketball Defensive Player of the Year, is stepping up as a captain for the first time. With 1,473 points and 25 assists to her name, she's a strategic addition to Eclipse. But can she lead her team to victory in her inaugural captaincy?
And now, the moment you've been waiting for—the Week Three matchups! The action kicks off on Wednesday, Feb. 18, with Rhythm and Glow facing off at 11:30 a.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. CT on ESPN and the ESPN app. Later that day, Gold Rush and Eclipse will battle it out at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on the same platforms.
But here's where it gets controversial: Which team has the edge? Is it the experienced leadership of Sims, the newcomer's spark of Mack, Gardner's proven track record, or Peddy's defensive prowess? The court is divided, and opinions are sure to clash.
Meet the teams below, and decide for yourself who will reign supreme in Week Three:
GOLD RUSH
- Coach: Edniesah Curry
- Odyssey Sims (Captain), Kiah Stokes, Kierstan Bell, Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, Aneesah Morrow, Lexie Brown, Grace Berger, Aerial Powers, Alaina Coates
GLOW
- Coach: Chaz Franklin
- Natasha Mack (Captain), Mercedes Russell, Kayana Traylor, Sarah Ashlee Barker, Asia Taylor, Dorie Harrison, Jaylyn Sherrod, Kiara Leslie, Bria Hartley, Rebecca Harris
RHYTHM
- Coach: Kia Vaughn
- Rebekah Gardner (Captain), Kaitlyn Chen, Emma Cannon, Tina Charles, Aaliyah Nye, Zia Cooke, Brianna Turner, McKenzie Forbes, Deja Kelly, Isabelle Harrison
ECLIPSE
- Coach: Zak Buncik
- Shey Peddy (Captain), Alysha Clark, Kia Nurse, Teana Muldrow, NaLyssa Smith, Jacy Sheldon, Ariel Atkins, Alissa Pili, JoJo Lacey, Sequoia Holmes
The stage is set for an exciting week of basketball. Don't miss out! Tickets are available now (https://auprosports.com/basketball/tickets/). Who do you think will come out on top? Share your predictions and join the debate in the comments!
