Women’s basketball has been seeing a swell of support and growth as of late, with record-shattering viewership numbers. The WNBA added its first new team since 2008, and a burgeoning three-on-three league called Unrivaled, started by college teammates turned WNBA Finals rivals Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, is set to take the court on January 17 with games airing on TNT and TruTV. This new league, set during the WNBA’s offseason, includes some of the game’s brightest stars and its burgeoning talent.
Joining that group is third-year Los Angeles Sparks player Rae Burrell. The former University of Tennessee star is coming off the best year of her young WNBA career, during which she showcased her shot making, athleticism, and defensive skills over the course of the season, cementing her as one of the team’s core pieces as they rebuild the storied franchise. Her competitive fire on both ends of the floor makes her the perfect piece to add to her well-balanced Vinyl BC team that also boasts Arike Ogunbowale, Rhyne Howard, Aliyah Boston, her former teammate Jordin Canada, and current Sparks teammate Dearica Hamby.
With all of that on the cards, Newsweek sat down with Burrell to discuss the growth of the sport, Unrivaled, what she’s working on ahead of her fourth season, and the key to the perfect outfit.
Rae Burrell #12 of the Los Angeles Sparks dribbles the ball against Betnijah Laney #44 of the New York Liberty at the Barclays Center on September 07,…
Newsweek: I know it has been crazy for you lately. You got the draft lottery expansion draft working with Team USA, Unrivaled kicking off. You just got a new coach in the W. Can you break down the past couple of months for us?
Rae Burrell: This whole offseason has just been a lot, but in the best way possible, honestly. Usually I’ve been overseas, so being able to be here and like you said with the new coach, I was able to go to the press [conference] when she had her first press [conference]. I was able to go to the USC game and go to the Unrivaled event. It’s just been super exciting things going on and I’m just happy to be in the States and able to be at these things.
NW: You’ve been everywhere since you’ve been able to have a proper offseason. You were just in Miami at Art Basel, you went back to your alma mater, Tennessee. Can you tell us what those trips were like, and having that freedom to be able to do those things?
RB: Especially just going back to Tennessee. That was my first time back since I had graduated. I was able to sign the graduation pole. After you’ve graduated from Tennessee, you get to sign the Lady Vol graduation pole. I was able to do that. Three years later, but you know, we got there. That was just really special moment for me and then able to meet the new coach and the new staff and I got to meet all the girls and everything and everybody was just so amazing. Just being back to see the fans as well. I always tell everybody that once I stepped on Tennessee, the fans that always loved me since day one and I always appreciated them. They showed me so much love when I was at the game, so that just meant the world to me.
And Art Basel was super fun, super cool. I went to the Unrivaled event and we got to just mingle with people that are going to be at the event or some people that are working with Unrivaled. Got to talk to D Wade [former Heat guard Dwyane Wade], so that was just super dope. He’s just a legend in basketball and he’s obviously recently got recognized with that statue in Miami. It was super fun being able to go and experience that my first time in Miami too. Just to get a little hint of it before I go for these next 10 weeks when I go for Unrivaled. Yeah, it was super fun.
NW: You got a hint of that Miami culture while you were there.
RB: Yeah (laughs). A little bit, just a little bit.
NW: You were just talking about the new head coach at Tennessee, but you also have another well, you have two new head coaches. But I wanna talk about your head coach with the Sparks right now. You said you got to go to the press events. Have you had a chance to speak hoops yet? Are there any things that you’re excited about her bringing to the squad?
RB: She actually recruited me in high school! So, she was pretty familiar with me already. And I had her number in my phone. When she called me, it actually said University of Utah coach. It was funny that I got that call, and I still had that in my phone.
When I got off the call, I got to change my contact to LA Sparks Coach [Lynne] Roberts. She’s super excited about me and she really likes my game and everything. I’m just happy to know that she does like my game and is excited for me the same way I’m excited for her. I just like her philosophy on the game, and she is a big numbers person, and I think she’s gonna do great in getting people to their spots and really honing on our strengths. And then just obviously working on our weaknesses. I think she’s gonna do a great job on just like figuring out what we’re good at and then kind of just, like, sticking to that.
NW: Speaking about your game. You were really hooping last season especially after the break. What do you think was the particular key that helped lock you in once you all came back?
RB: Yeah, I think just even having the break, you know, it’s just so much back-to-back games and everything. So having that time to just kind of relax and I just came home to Vegas. So, I came home, got to working out again and getting my body ready again. It was kind of like a mini preseason. So, coming back, I was able to get a little bit stronger and just fix my shot, fix a few things here and there. I think that really helped. When I came back and then just rest as well to being able to get off your feet a little bit from traveling and everything. I think that’s probably one of the big things that really helped.
NW: With that time on the court hooping and really getting time to show your skills last year, how do you plan to build on that with this upcoming season? And are there some skills that you had tucked away that you feel like you’re gonna be able to showcase now?
RB: Yeah, definitely. I’m definitely just working on things that I already kinda do. Rebounding and then just bring that energy. So like just making sure that I’m staying in shape and work on my stamina [and] getting strong, I lift a lot throughout the week. I get my basketball workouts in. I just really want to get more efficient as well with my shot, and because I know I’m able to get to spots and sometimes I might not be able to finish it. I want to work on just my efficiency and putting the ball in the hoop and then even just finishing around the basket as well.
NW: You get any pointers from D Wade about finishing at the basket?
RB:(Laughs) He was trying to post me up while we were talking, and I was like, “Hold on let me put my purse down real quick!”
NW: Let’s keep it on Unrivaled. The draft just happened. You landed on Vinyl, BC. What brought you to Unrivaled as a league and how do you feel about the new opportunities available?
RB: I think just the competitiveness of it honestly is what kind of drew me to it because I just feel like all the girls that are part of it are just like the top hoopers and real competitors and iron sharpens iron. I just know that even just competing in there I will be able to strengthen my game and work on things that I need to work on. I think just bringing something new to the basketball world as well too is cool. Women’s sports are growing. This is something that people really haven’t seen in a while. Or really at all, the way that they have it set up and everything. I’m honestly excited about just something new and being part of like the build of this as well.
NW: That’s so dope. What about your new team with Unrivaled. Can you tell us anything that you’ve learned about that Vinyl BC team and what you think all of you bring to the table? ‘Cause you got a squad.
RB: Yeah, definitely.
NW: Plus, teammates that you’re already familiar with too!
RB: Yes, I was gonna say too.
NW: You kind of got a cheat code there, and then you got people that have already played three-on-three.
RB: Right, exactly. Yeah, we got some good experiences with the three-on-three. I mean Rhyne and Dearica were literally just at the Olympics this past season competing. And even won bronze. That’s just huge to have two players like that that have already been at the highest of the highest three-on-three competing and have really learned the game. They can teach the rest of the squad the ropes of it.
I played with Dearica, obviously with the Sparks. And I played with Jordin my rookie season and my second year, so I have experience with her. And Rhyne—I played against all four years in Tennessee, and then even obviously in the league too, so I’m excited to finally be playing on this side of her. Instead of against her. And then Arike, she’s an All-Star as well. Natural, going to get a bucket and then Aliyah Boston, just a powerhouse. I’m super excited about this squad. I think that we have really great pieces to do some big things.
NW: Experience in the game is very important because there are some key differences in the game. Have any of your previous teammates who played three-on-three told you anything? Dearica, Rhyne, even Cam (Brink) have played for that USA team.
RB: Yeah. Cam was a big help. I learned a little bit just from going to that three-on-three camp, but before I even went me and Dearica, and we live in Vegas. One I’m always with her. I’m literally going to see her tonight. And we played a little three-on-three scrimmage with some boys. It was me, her and Diamond Miller before I went to three-on-three camp and she was pretty much explaining the rules and everything as I was playing. But even just playing with that like it’s just Dearica’s leadership that really just stands out to me like she just always talking and always is just communicating where she wants me to be or what she thinks we could be better at. I think that’s just going to be huge. Her communication just as a leader is, I think, going to make a big difference.
Like you said, the experience, I think, is just an advantage because three-on-three isn’t like five-on-five. It’s quicker, it’s faster and there’s some things that you have to know that sometimes you have to let somebody get a layup to not get a 2, because obviously 2 is more than one. Her teaching me stuff like that, I think it is definitely an advantage.
NW: Is there a certain team or player you’re excited to match up with?
RB: I’m always excited to match with my Sparks teammates Azurá [Stevens] and Rickea [Jackson]. We’re usually on the same team. We can get a little competitive against each other. We even play against each other in practice too, but I’m excited to play against them.
NW: Are y’all doing any trash-talking?
RB: Maybe, maybe. I don’t know. I’m not a big trash talker, but some other people are a little bit more.
NW: How is it balancing those Sparks events, knowing that you’re about to have to match up with them like next month? What’s the status of RXR (Sparks fans’ name for the Rae and Rickea duo) now that you’re about to lock up?
RB: It’s fun, honestly! We know that when we get on the court, we’re gonna compete but we get off the court it’s gonna be all love. At the end of the day, we’re still on the same team in the W and everything and that’s like a sister to me too. On the court we can hash it out and fight it out, but off the court, it’s all love.
NW: We know you’re a real defender on that end. Do you have any secrets to stop them that you’re gonna pull out in the games when that time comes?
RB: I’m just gonna use my athleticism. I’m super long and tall. And I got a quick first step, so I try to just make sure I’m staying in front of the offense.
NW: We’ve seen the chase downs.
RB: Exactly! Even like that though to be a part of this league. It’s only gonna help my defense too. Just another thing I’m excited about.
NW: Besides that defensive edge, is there anything else you’re hoping to gain from this Unrivaled experience?
RB: Really all around, everything. Offense, defense. And like I’m around vets in the league. Just being around these players that have been in the league for so long and even just playing basketball for so long I think I’ll just be able to take some tips and pointers from these girls that have been hooping for as long as they have and been so successful at that. I get to actually be around these All Stars. And with the goals that I want for myself you got to look up to the people that have done it. I’m excited for that.
NW: Let’s transition to another facet of yours. Your fashion sense. On the court, you’re defensive stopper. In the tunnel you’re a showstopper. What’s the key to pulling together a good fit?
RB: Okay (laughs)! I like that. That might be my next caption. You gotta play with it a little bit like it’s not gonna be that first outfit you try on. You gotta keep putting the pieces together. First outfit might look a little crazy, but you gotta work with it. You gotta trust the process to get to the end. I usually try to pick a certain piece that I know I wanna wear for sure. Like maybe some shoes or maybe I know I want to wear this skirt and then I kind of try and work around that. My stylist Sydney helps me with that as well.
It just kind of just depends on the vibe that I’m feeling that day like it was my birthday for one of the games. I’m like, “I gotta pop out,” or maybe we’re playing like a team that we really need to beat. I’m like “OK, this means business, I gotta wear some business clothes.” It just depends on what the vibe is for that game or just in general for the night or the day whatever it is.
NW: So, the key is building around a specific piece that you’re sure that you wanna bring to the table.
RB: Yeah. Exactly!
NW: Okay, I see it. ‘Cause a lot of times and I don’t know if you ever feel this way, because you play for the Sparks, one of the most fashionable teams in the W. Do you ever feel pressured to get a ‘fit off? Even I was nervous like, “This is Rae, she’s on LeagueFits, and GQ Sports. I gotta make sure I look cool too.”
RB: (Laughs) No, not really. I mean, honestly, I just really enjoy it. I actually just genuinely enjoy it. It’s really not hard for me to wanna dress up and put something on when you really actually love doing it. It’s a way to just express myself. Any way that I can express myself like through the clothes, I try to do that. I try not to put too much pressure on it because that doesn’t make it as fun. I feel like the outfit won’t be as good if you’re like, “Oh, this needs to be this way.” You kind of just got to go with the flow with it and be like, “Okay, this what the vibes are” and “This is what we pulling together” and then I just end up liking it.
NW: I appreciate you taking your time out to sit with me. Good luck with Unrivaled coming up.
RB: Thank you.
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