Athletes Unlimited announced the newest additions to its growing women’s basketball roster on Monday ahead of its fifth season. Ariel Atkins, Te-Hina Paopao, Jacy Sheldon and Kiah Stokes will debut for AU in Nashville in February.
The newcomers will join returning players Alysha Clark, Sydney Colson, Isabelle Harrison, Lexie Brown, Kia Nurse and NaLyssa Smith. So far, the early signings include 14 players on AU’s roster for 2026.
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“Nashville welcomed us with open arms last season, and we’re thrilled to return to Municipal Auditorium for another year of world-class hoops,” said Vice President of Basketball for Athletes Unlimited, Megan Perry. “With a roster that blends proven leaders and exciting new faces, AU Pro Basketball is where legends rise and new stars are born.”
A full 40-player roster and the league schedule will be announced at a later date.
Launched in 2022, AU Pro Basketball was the first U.S.-based women’s league that played in the winter. The 5-on-5 league is structured around individual performances, with players shuffled to build new teams each week. Players earn points through individual stats and team wins.
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The Dallas Wings’ Maddy Siegrist won the AU Pro Basketball title in 2025, setting a league record of 7,052 total points.
AU Pro Basketball now runs parallel to Unrivaled, which was founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart and played its first season earlier this year. The offseason 3-on-3 league in Florida gave players an alternative to playing overseas once their WNBA campaigns concluded.
Apart from its founders, Unrivaled’s rosters included players like Angel Reese, Sabrina Ionescu, Brittney Griner and Aliyah Boston.
Atkins, who played in Unrivaled this year, is switching to Athletes Unlimited after the 2025 WNBA season. The Chicago Sky star said she is “super excited” about the switch.
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“They’ve been building something for a while now,” Atkins told ESPN. “They focus on the players having everything they need to give us the opportunity in the offseason.”
The WNBA season is near its midway point with the All-Star Game this weekend, and will wrap up with playoffs in October. Players will have the last couple months of 2025 to prepare for their respective offseason leagues.
