In an exciting turn of events, Erica Wheeler, a talented athlete from Miami, is set to make her long-awaited debut in the Unrivaled league. Having left her hometown back in 2009 to pursue a basketball scholarship at Rutgers University, Wheeler's return is laden with emotion and anticipation.
Wheeler, now 34 years old, has dedicated this winter to training in Miami for Unrivaled, a professional women's basketball league that exclusively hosts its games at Wayfair Arena in Medley. "Since I graduated high school, I haven't spent more than 30 consecutive days in Miami," she reflected. "But with Unrivaled, I’ll be here for three whole months, practicing and playing right in front of my hometown fans. This experience is truly going to be something special."
The season kicks off on Monday, and it's clear that nerves are setting in for Wheeler. "I just hope my first game doesn't end up being a disappointment because I know the nerves will come into play," she admitted. "I expect it will take me about two weeks to really find my rhythm again."
Interestingly, the last time Wheeler stepped onto a court in Miami was on December 5, 2011. That day, her Rutgers team faced off against the Miami Hurricanes in a nail-biting double-overtime match, where Wheeler scored 13 points, including a crucial layup that tied the game and sent it into overtime. Despite her valiant efforts, Miami's Riquna Williams outshined with an impressive 36-point performance, leading her team to a 92-81 victory over Rutgers.
Fast forward over a decade, and Wheeler will have the opportunity to showcase her skills in Miami once again. Unrivaled made its inaugural appearance in 2025 with six teams, and this year, it expands to eight teams.
Though initially overlooked for the 2025 roster, Wheeler was invited to join the league for the 2026 season, a proposal she hesitated to accept. "When you didn’t reach out to me last year, I told them I’d be playing in China instead," she recounted. "I had to remind them: ‘I’m the only active player from Miami in the WNBA, and I didn't even get a call?'" Ultimately, after receiving a more appealing offer, Wheeler decided to participate and is now excited to represent her city.
Throughout her career, Wheeler has played in various countries, including Brazil, France, Russia, and Turkey. "I never thought I would travel the globe doing what I love," she shared. "Coming from Liberty City, that's almost unimaginable. My mother raised me as a single parent alongside my siblings, and I watched her hustle to create opportunities for us."
Wheeler's late mother, Melissa Cooper, who passed away from cancer during Erica's senior year of college, continues to be a significant source of motivation for her. "Her legacy drives me forward every day. I felt a strong need to honor her sacrifices," Wheeler expressed.
On the financial side, Wheeler has been successful and isn't overly concerned about the ongoing absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the WNBA and its players. "If you think I don’t have millions saved up, you're mistaken," she stated confidently. "I’m well off, thanks to a solid financial team supporting me. I’ve been fortunate enough to maximize my earnings. I own two restaurants in Atlanta and am involved in real estate."
Should the WNBA face an unprecedented delay or cancellation due to a lack of a new CBA, Wheeler assured that she would continue playing basketball, whether at a local park or anywhere else. "It would be unbelievable for the league not to exist in 2026. That would be detrimental," she remarked, emphasizing the WNBA's remarkable history without any work stoppages in its nearly three-decade existence.
Describing herself, Wheeler identifies as an "energetic point guard capable of scoring, passing, and defending." After going undrafted in 2013, she finally secured a spot on the WNBA roster two years later with the Atlanta Dream. By 2016, she joined the Indiana Fever, where she achieved a significant milestone in 2019 as the first undrafted player ever named MVP of the All-Star Game.
Wheeler's journey has not been without challenges; she missed the entire 2020 season due to a COVID-19 diagnosis that resulted in complications. Subsequently, she played for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2021 and returned to Atlanta in 2022. In the 2023 season, she maintained a consistent role, starting all 40 games for the Fever. However, in 2024, she transitioned to a bench role to accommodate rookie Caitlin Clark's standout season, which drew widespread attention to the league. "Caitlin had an impact we hadn’t seen in a long time, putting a spotlight on the league," Wheeler acknowledged. "From day one, I was there to support her as her big sister, and she welcomed that."
Despite the transition to a bench position, Wheeler felt that the situation could have been managed more effectively. "When you have a rookie like Caitlin, who is already famous and plays the same position as you, did I get caught in the mix? Absolutely. But I was ready for it, and I will always support her," she affirmed.
Wheeler’s most recent season with the Seattle Storm ended in a playoff loss to the Las Vegas Aces, where she tied for the team lead with 16 points in a narrow 74-73 defeat.
Looking ahead, Wheeler believes she still has two productive years left in her basketball career. "I feel like an old car; if you keep it running, it performs well. But the day after a game, my knees and feet remind me of my age. However, once I’m warmed up, I feel like a Ferrari!"
As Unrivaled 2026 draws near, here's a glimpse of some standout players who will be competing across various teams:
- Breeze: Featuring young talents Paige Bueckers and Cameron Brink;
- Hive: Headlined by rookie All-Star Sonia Citron;
- Laces: Led by four-time All-Star and three-time WNBA champion Jackie Young along with six-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas;
- Lunar Owls: Centered around seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins;
- Mist: Featuring Breanna Stewart, a seven-time All-Star and three-time WNBA champion, alongside four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale;
- Phantom: Boasting four-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion Kelsey Plum, along with three-time All-Star Satou Sabally;
- Rose: Guided by Chelsea Gray, a six-time All-Star and four-time WNBA champion;
- Vinyl: Where Wheeler will join forces with Brittney Griner, a ten-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
