Week 1 of Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball is in the books, and it was a highly competitive start to the season. As many know, the league operates differently than traditional basketball leagues—team rosters change weekly as new captains are named based on a unique point system. The top four point-getters from the previous week earn the right to captain new teams, making adaptability a crucial skill for all players.
Dorie Harrison is learning to navigate these challenges as she competes in her second season with the league.
“As a teammate, you always want to encourage people’s strengths and help them improve their weaknesses, but you’re also observing. So, when you play against them, you use that knowledge to sharpen your basketball IQ and put yourself in the best position to win. It’s definitely a balance between support and competition.”
This balancing act extends beyond strategy—it also involves building chemistry with new teammates each week. With limited practice time, players must quickly learn how to fit the pieces together on the court.
For Evina Westbrook and Team Westbrook, those pieces meshed seamlessly in Week 1. The team dominated, losing only one game—to Team Harrison, captained by Izzy Harrison—after winning both of their previous matchups in blowout fashion. Across eight quarters of play, they dropped only one. However, with three of the top four point-getters coming from Team Westbrook, changes are inevitable in Week 2.
Evina and her teammates understand the temporary nature of their success.
“We talk about it in practice—just enjoy the moment. If we had the choice to keep the same team the whole time, we would. But it’s unrealistic to expect us to look like the same group each week.”
As you watch the high-quality basketball that Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball delivers, remember that these players are juggling much more than just the game itself. They’re managing emotions, building new team dynamics, and creating lasting memories—all while staying focused on winning.
