Get ready for a thrilling Week 3 of AU Pro Basketball Season 5, where the stakes are higher than ever! But here's where it gets controversial: the captain selection process, which relies on the top point-earners from the previous week, has sparked debates about whether it truly rewards consistent performance or simply favors short-term spikes. Curious? Let’s dive into the details and meet the teams shaping this week’s action.
The Week 3 captains were chosen based on the top four point-earners from the Week 2 leaderboard. For a deeper look into how this process works, check out the official explanation here: https://auprosports.com/basketball/how-we-play/#captains. And this is the part most people miss: while the system is designed to highlight weekly excellence, it can sometimes overshadow players who perform consistently over the entire season. What do you think—fair or flawed?
Leading the charge for Gold Rush is Guard Odyssey Sims, who dominated Week 2 with a league-best 1,966 leaderboard points. This marks her 14th captaincy in her Athletes Unlimited career, a testament to her enduring impact. As the league’s top scorer with a 22.5 points-per-game average, Sims is a force to be reckoned with. But here’s a thought: does her repeated captaincy reflect her skill, or does it limit opportunities for others to step into leadership roles?
Forward Natasha Mack makes her captaincy debut after securing second place in Week 2 with 1,751 points. As a newcomer, Mack has already made waves as the league’s leading rebounder and shot-blocker, with 20 blocks in just two weeks. Her rise is undeniable, but is she ready to lead a team to victory? Only time will tell.
Guard Rebekah Gardner returns to the captain’s chair for Week 3, this time leading Rhythm. After a perfect 3-0 debut as captain for Glow, Gardner’s 1,506 points in Week 2 solidify her as a strategic powerhouse. Yet, some wonder: can she maintain this momentum, or will the pressure of back-to-back captaincies weigh her down?
Rounding out the captains is Guard Shey Peddy, who takes the helm of Eclipse for the first time. The reigning AU Pro Basketball Defensive Player of the Year, Peddy finished Week 2 with 1,473 points and ranks third in assists with 25. Her defensive prowess is unmatched, but can she translate that into offensive leadership? Bold question: Is Peddy’s captaincy a well-deserved recognition or an overdue acknowledgment of her defensive dominance?
Week 3 tips off on Wednesday, Feb. 18, with a morning showdown between Rhythm and Glow at 11:30 a.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. CT on ESPN and the ESPN app. Later that evening, Gold Rush faces Eclipse at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT, also on ESPN and the ESPN app. Don’t miss out—tickets are available now at https://auprosports.com/basketball/tickets/.
Here’s a closer look at the Week 3 teams, listed in draft order:
GOLD RUSH
Coach: Edniesha Curry
- Odyssey Sims, Guard (Captain)
- Kiah Stokes, Center
- Kierstan Bell, Guard
- Te-Hina Paopao, Guard
- Bree Hall, Guard
- Aneesah Morrow, Forward
- Lexie Brown, Guard
- Grace Berger, Guard
- Aerial Powers, Guard
- Alaina Coates, Center
GLOW
Coach: Chaz Franklin
- Natasha Mack, Forward (Captain)
- Mercedes Russell, Center
- Kayana Traylor, Guard
- Sarah Ashlee Barker, Guard
- Asia Taylor, Forward
- Dorie Harrison, Forward
- Jaylyn Sherrod, Guard
- Kiara Leslie, Guard
- Bria Hartley, Guard
- Rebecca Harris, Guard
RHYTHM
Coach: Kia Vaughn
- Rebekah Gardner, Guard (Captain)
- Kaitlyn Chen, Guard
- Emma Cannon, Forward
- Tina Charles, Center
- Aaliyah Nye, Guard
- Zia Cooke, Guard
- Brianna Turner, Forward
- McKenzie Forbes, Guard
- Deja Kelly, Guard
- Isabelle Harrison, Forward
ECLIPSE
Coach: Zak Buncik
- Shey Peddy, Guard (Captain)
- Alysha Clark, Forward
- Kia Nurse, Guard
- Teana Muldrow, Forward
- NaLyssa Smith, Forward
- Jacy Sheldon, Guard
- Ariel Atkins, Guard
- Alissa Pili, Forward
- JoJo Lacey, Guard
- Sequoia Holmes, Guard
As Week 3 unfolds, one thing is certain: the competition will be fierce. But here’s a final thought to spark debate: With the captaincy system in place, are we truly seeing the best leaders emerge, or are we missing out on hidden gems who could shine in this role? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
