March 22, 2023
As second season of Athletes Unlimited Basketball winds down, competition heats up
By Arie Graham
Who can take home the big prize?
DALLAS — The final week of the Athletes Unlimited Basketball (AU) begins March 22 and the players have three more games to secure their spots on the leaderboard. Guard Odyssey Sims has been No. 1 on the leaderboard four out of the five weeks. She currently has 5637 points. 6’4 forward NaLyssa Smith has a chance to steal the top spot with 5163 points.
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Now is the time where the team play matters a little bit more that individual player as more points are earned. It will have the biggest effect on the top 10 players. Based off of the scoring system for AU, whichever team wins the quarter get 50 points for and 150 if the team wins. Individually, they would just have to player a clean game and be sure to make each offensive possession count.
Medals will be awarded to the athletes that finish in the top four on the leaderboard. There will also be awards for Defensive Player of the Year and Teammate of the Year. Currently, the top four players are the captains for the final week.
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Week 5 Captains
Team Sims (Gold): Sims has been the captain of Team Gold since week two. Her teams finished each week with a 2-1 record. If her team came do the same in the final week, she will most likely finish the season No. 1. The team wins will have to be accomplished without her leading guard Jordin Canada, who was stolen by Smith in the draft.
Team Smith (Orange): The former Baylor standout is a captain for the fourth straight week. Her only losing week as captain was week four, going 1-2. Team Smith could not stop the comeback of Team Sims losing the game, 102-101, to close out week 4. She will be playing to hold on to second place, as there is a 474 point difference between her and Sims.
Team Hillmon (Blue): Naz Hillmon has been leading her teams as captain since the second week of the season. When she took over the Team Purple in week two, she led the team to a winning record after the team’s 0-3 opening weekend.
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Team Harrison (Purple): Isabelle Harrison finished No. 3 and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. She returns as captain for the week 5 of this season with a 7-8 record as captain. She may hold on, but it will not be easy with everyone gunning for the top.
‘Every Moment Counts’
Only 200 points separate Hillmon and Harrison as No. 3 and 4 on the leaderboard. There is a 808-point difference between the fourth and ten spots. The athletes have put on a clinic throughout the season. It also showcased the competitive nature of the players with heated exchanges and close games. They will have to be mindful of their mistakes. A foul, turnover, missed free throws or quarter and game losses from their teams will be the difference makers.
All games can be viewed on WNBA League Pass.
Written by Arie Graham
Arie Graham joined The Next in May 2021 as the beat writer for the Dallas Wings.
