Alyssa Thomas Joins Project B: WNBA Star Makes the Leap to the New League
WNBA star Alyssa Thomas, a finalist for the MVP award, has confirmed her participation in Project B, the innovative women’s basketball league scheduled to launch in Europe and Asia in November 2026. Thomas thus becomes the second player to join this ambitious project. The news was announced through the player’s social media, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury. This decision comes a week after Nneka Ogwumike also announced her incorporation into the new league.Thomas led the Phoenix Mercury to the WNBA Finals last season. Previously, during her eleven seasons with the Connecticut Sun, she led the team to the Finals twice and was selected for the All-Star team five times. The 33-year-old player has played abroad during the off-seasons, and participated in the inaugural season of Unrivaled last year. Thomas will participate again in the 3-on-3 league this January, where other prominent WNBA players also compete. Project B and Unrivaled will coincide in their schedules. Project B will have 66 players distributed across six teams. Each player will receive a salary higher than that currently offered by the WNBA, and is even expected to exceed those of Unrivaled. Although specific financial details haven’t been disclosed, the prospect of more lucrative compensation comes at a crucial time for professional women’s basketball. As interest in the sport skyrockets, the WNBA and the players’ union are in tense negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, largely focused on salaries and revenue distribution. Project B plans to play its inaugural season until April 2027, which would not interfere with the usual WNBA schedule.Alyssa is the type of player and person around whom a team is built. Her leadership, competitiveness, and professionalism elevate everyone around her. As one of the most respected players in the world, she represents the new era of collaboration between players and the global competition that Project B promotes.
Alana Beard, Director of Basketball Operations at Project B
