NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Odyssey Sims received the Athletes Unlimited championship Sunday after ending second in every of the earlier two seasons of the four-week occasion.
“I am simply blissful,” Sims mentioned with the winner’s medal round her neck together with a “GOAT” necklace. “Like, I lastly did it. This implies extra to me than the rest proper now.”
Sims completed with 6,764 factors beneath a scoring system that elements in workforce wins and particular person performances, effectively forward of second-place Aneesah Morrow, who had 5,344 factors in her first season with AU Professional Basketball. Rebekah Gardner was third with 5,269 factors adopted by Tina Charles, the WNBA’s profession chief in rebounds and area objectives, with 4,875 factors.
Sims, a guard who break up final season between the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and Indiana Fever, did not miss a recreation on this league’s first 4 seasons. Sims went from ending sixth within the first season to 3rd in 2023, and he or she was edged out by Maddy Siegrist final 12 months.
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Sims mentioned her expertise from the beginning of the league might be thought of dishonest a bit. Athletes Unlimited options 41 gamers rotating by means of 4 groups whereas taking part in 24 video games of 5-on-5 basketball. This was the league’s second season in Nashville.
Groups change weekly, with the highest 4 gamers serving as captains and drafting rosters for hands-on administration and training expertise.
“You need to get the hold of it,” Sims mentioned of a format that may transfer a participant not solely between groups however into new roles from week to week. “The largest factor is simply having the ability to regulate to each scenario. I’ve gotten the hold of it as a result of that is 12 months 5 for me.”
Natasha Mack completed fifth with 4,777 factors. Mack additionally was the defensive participant of the 12 months after main the league in blocks and rebounds per recreation, and the remainder of the defensive workforce included Gardner, Kiah Stokes, Morrow and Jaylyn Sherrod.
Guard Kaitlyn Chen was newcomer of the 12 months; she completed sixth with 4,593 factors.