Four things to know about Season 3 of AU Pro Hoops

1. How it works

Like all Athletes Unlimited leagues, AU Pro Basketball has a unique scoring system that creates intense games where every moment counts.

Individual athletes earn points based on both team wins and individual performance to move up the leaderboard. Points are earned on every play and the leaderboard will change constantly. At the end of the four-week season, whoever climbed their way to the top with the most points is crowned the individual champion. NaLyssa Smith (2023) and Tianna Hawkins (2022) are the two previous AU Pro Basketball champions.

2. Changes in win point values

Ahead of the 2024 season, AU adjusted the scoring system values for win points.

Previously, a single quarter win awarded each athlete on the team 50 points and members of the winning team in each game were awarded 150 points each. Quarter wins will now be worth 60 points and game wins 180 points. From time to time, the league adjusts the scoring system to keep aligned with its goals for balance between the stat, win, and MVP point categories.

AU’s Chief Technology Officer, John Spade, leads scoring system development and gives insight into the change.

“In this case, some of the extraordinary on-the-court performances last season boosted stat points,” Spade said. “So increasing win points a bit creates balance to ensure players have the proper incentive to win each quarter and not simply chase individual stats.”

If a quarter is tied, the points roll over to the subsequent quarter.

3. When & Where to watch

This season will kick off on Thursday, February 29 at 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT at Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas. Every game day is a doubleheader so you can watch all four teams compete. Week One will have games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Previous AU Basketball seasons have been five weeks long but this year will be a four-week competition that promotes that same playoff-level of intensity in every game. Most games in this season’s 24-game schedule will be available to watch for free on the WNBA App. The app will provide fans live and on-demand access to 18 of the games this season. The full broadcast/streaming schedule will be announced by the league this week.

4. Make your own picks

Up the stakes this season by participating in the league’s fantasy game. Play for free and compete with friends and fans to earn the most points every week. During Basketball, you can draft five players with no position requirements.

You’re all set for the return of AU Pro Basketball on Feb. 29. The full roster of athletes that will compete this season can be found here. Tickets are on sale now.

Savanna Collins is the Senior Reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Twitter @savannaecollins.