At some point, WNBA players joining Project B will become a normal occurrence. If everything goes as planned, the league will feature 66 players across six proposed 11-player teams competing in seven two-week tournaments beginning in November 2026.
Currently, this new international league aims to avoid any negative perceptions by offering players substantial salaries and stakes, generating ongoing excitement with each new signing announcement.
Following the reveal of the first four key stars—Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, and Jewell Lloyd—five additional players have been added to Project B: Camila Cardoso from the Chicago Sky, Lee Meng from the former Washington Mystics, Janelle Saraun from the Golden State Valkyries, and Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham from the Indiana Fever. Also, Justy Josite, the top pick of the Golden State Valkyries in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has joined the league.
Mitchell brings another top-tier player to Project B, coming off his best season with three All-Star selections, All-WNBA first-team honors, and MVP votes despite battling injuries. After playing in the China Women’s Basketball Association (WCBA) in the 2025 offseason and with Athletes Unlimited in 2024, Mitchell chose Project B over Unrivaled, suggesting her 2026 offseason with Unrivaled might be a one-time occurrence.
Josite and Cardoso represent the “young superstar” type highlighted by Project B’s CEO Alana Beard. While Josite is yet to debut in the WNBA, her recent performances with Lithuania’s national team and European clubs suggest high potential. Cardoso, a national champion at South Carolina and fourth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, has faced early career challenges due to injuries and team issues but continues playing in the WCBA.
Saraun, Min, and Cunningham are young, seasoned veterans likely to join the six Project B teams. Though the league has captured attention with $2 million salaries, it remains unclear if this applies universally or mainly to star players.
Speaking to Front Office Sports before officially joining, Cunningham expressed excitement about the league’s rumored high pay and its potential to grow women’s basketball’s popularity both domestically and internationally.
Ultimately, Project B’s success hinges on fan engagement, something Unrivaled quickly achieved by encouraging fan loyalty to clubs and players and providing full TV coverage. It remains to be seen if Project B can ignite similar passion, especially given its games will be held in international cities and time zones less convenient for North American fans.
The more details surface about Project B, the more questions arise.
Fan Take: This development is huge for WNBA fans because it signals growing opportunities and recognition for women’s basketball players worldwide. If Project B succeeds in capturing fan interest, it could significantly boost the sport’s global profile and push the boundaries of women’s professional basketball.
