Unrivaled sets professional women’s basketball attendance record in 3-on-3 league’s Philly debut

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Natasha Cloud rooted for the 76ers as a kid growing up in suburban Philadelphia and — like so many hoopsters back in the day — idolized Allen Iverson.

So when the former WNBA champion and current New York Liberty standout hit the same court where Iverson once dazzled, Cloud couldn’t help but look up to his retired No. 3 jersey in the rafters and let the moment truly sink in; that women’s professional basketball was back in Philadelphia for the first time in nearly 30 years — and she was a key figure in the comeback.

“Man, like how crazy it is that I’m standing here about to play for the first time professionally in my home city,” Cloud said.

Cloud plays for Phantom BC, one of the teams in the burgeoning 3-on-3 women’s professional basketball league, Unrivaled. Unrivaled hit the road for the first time in its brief history, breaking free of its Florida bubble to expand its reach and stage two games on Friday night in Philadelphia.

The first tour stop was a smashing success.

Cloud held an “ Abolish Ice ” sign as she was introduced to a roaring ovation from a professional women’s basketball regular-season record crowd of ...