The Sun’s Marina Mabrey was injured on the eve of an unparalleled basketball season
Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey suffered a right calf injury just days old before the start of the first season in basketball without equal. Mabrey will undergo an MRI to assess the severity of the injury, with initial return to play timeline estimated at 2-4 weeks, according to Sara Jane Gamelli of Ballislife.
The injury comes at an unfortunate time, as Unrivaled, the highly anticipated 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, will debut in Miami on Friday. Mabrey’s status will be re-evaluated after her MRI, and her availability for the start of the season remains uncertain.
Peerless, co-founded by VNBA stars Breana Stewart and Nafisa Collier, aims to provide a domestic alternative for VNBA players during the off-season. Unrivaled’s unique format features six teams — Lace, Mist, Rose, Lunar Owls, Phantom and Vinyl — each comprised of top talent from around the league such as Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty.
Mabrey’s injury presents an unexpected challenge for the Phantoms, the team he was supposed to play for. Other notable participants in Unrivaled include Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury and Arika Ogunboyle of the Dallas Wings.
Related Connecticut Sun NewsThe article continues below
The league, designed to showcase a fast-paced and competitive style of play, will take place in a dedicated facility in Miami. It promises not only top-notch competition, but groundbreaking player benefits, including competitive salaries and ownership stakes, a first in women’s professional basketball.
The injury comes at a critical time for Mabrey, who is looking to continue her momentum from the upcoming WNBA season. San reached the WNBA semifinals last season. The Sun Guardian’s absence will be felt in the early stages of the Unrivaled season, although he is expected to return depending on his recovery progress.
As the league begins, fans eagerly await the debut of this innovative basketball format, which will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
2025-01-17 00:12:00
