Bold statement: Rae Burrell isn’t just a talk of potential anymore—she’s actively redefining what she can do this season. But here’s where it gets controversial: the conversation should shift from what she might become to what she already is capable of achieving right now.
Rae Burrell, who left Tennessee as a first-round pick in 2022, has long been viewed as a supremely athletic youngster whose progress has been hampered by injuries. With Unrivaled, she’s changing that narrative by proving she can influence games today, not just someday soon.
Vinyl head coach Teresa Weatherspoon has consistently emphasized Burrell as the most fascinating athlete in Unrivaled. Burrell showcased her elite athleticism during the 1-on-1 tournament, flashing top-tier speed, lockdown defense, and the ability to explode to the rim before defenders can react.
She defeated All-Star Rhyne Howard in the opening round and then overwhelmed Sonia Citron 11-0 in Round 2 before succumbing to Allisha Gray. Beyond the tournament, Burrell has demonstrated value on the floor for the Vinyl this season.
Burrell began the year coming off the bench. After Vinyl hit a rough stretch, Weatherspoon moved Burrell into the starting five, replacing veteran Courtney Williams. Since then, she has been a reliable source of offense, ranking third on the team in scoring behind Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard with 9.3 points per game on 43.2% shooting. She has reached double figures in six of 11 games, including a 22-point outing against the Laces.
Defensively, Burrell has been impactful as well, recording 13 steals and three blocks to date.
A healthy season is crucial for Burrell’s trajectory in the WNBA
The ongoing focus on Burrell’s potential largely stems from her injury history. Since 2022, she has rarely enjoyed a full WNBA season. A foot injury limited her to three games in her rookie year. The following season, she didn’t make the Sparks’ initial roster and earned a spot via a hardship contract, which led to a multi-year deal after proving her value in 29 games. In 2024, she posted career highs in several categories across 37 games, including points, field-goal attempts, field-goal percentage, rebounds, assists, and 3-point attempts, suggesting a breakout was on the horizon. However, she still played only 28 games after injuring herself in the Sparks’ season opener.
If Burrell can maintain health—and if the CBA negotiations don’t wipe out a 2026 season—this campaign could mark a true breakout year. Her second season with Unrivaled has served as a proving ground to refine her skills, build confidence, and demonstrate to the WNBA community that she can consistently deliver at a higher level with the Sparks or wherever her career takes her.
