NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Maddy Siegrist celebrated a significant achievement Sunday as she emerged as the champion of the Athletes Unlimited tournament held over four weeks in Nashville. Siegrist outperformed fellow competitor Odyssey Sims, securing her position at the top in this edition of the innovative league.
In her second appearance with Athletes Unlimited, Siegrist, who had previously finished fourth in Dallas, succeeded in clinching victory. After wrapping up her second WNBA season with the Dallas Wings, she capped this season by recording a league-best total of 7,052 points at the Municipal Auditorium. She expressed immense satisfaction with her experience, describing the event as rewarding.
“Playing with such talented athletes has been a fantastic experience,” said Siegrist. “The opportunity to compete at this level, alongside and against so many skilled players, has been wonderful.”
Odyssey Sims, having split her 2024 WNBA season between Dallas and the Los Angeles Sparks, once again took second place, mirroring her finish from the previous year. With a point total of 6,595, she was among the 41 players rotating across four teams for a 24-game circuit of 5-on-5 competition in Nashville.
The competition saw Crystal Bradford finish third, amassing 5,304 points, while Maya Caldwell secured fourth place with a total of 4,860 points.
Defensive accolades went to Shey Peddy, who was named the league’s defensive player of the year. She shared All-Defensive Team honors with Sims, Bradford, center Elizabeth Williams, and three-time WNBA champion Alysha Clark. Tyasha Harris was recognized by her peers as the newcomer of the year.
In Athletes Unlimited, players accumulate points based on both their individual performances and their team’s success. The unique format allows for team rosters to change weekly, with the top four players acting as captains, overseeing drafts to hone their management and coaching abilities.
The league observed record-breaking attendance throughout its month-long gameplay in Nashville. Building on this success, it confirmed a multi-year agreement to usher AU Pro Basketball back to the area for the 2026 season, scheduled from February 4-28.
With this championship, Siegrist joins the ranks of previous winners like Allisha Gray, NaLyssa Smith, and Tianna Hawkins. Originating from Poughkeepsie, New York, and an alum of Villanova, Siegrist consistently delivered impressive performances, earning MVP honors in 11 consecutive games to accumulate a league-high 780 MVP points.
She also set a new benchmark with 3,540 win points by achieving a 9-3 record, winning more quarters than any other athlete in the league. During her captaincy for three weeks, her record stood at a commendable 7-2.
Siegrist’s journey through the 2024 WNBA season was momentarily halted by a broken left index finger, but she has undoubtedly cemented her status with an outstanding performance in Athletes Unlimited.
