Alyssa Thomas is the second WNBA star to officially sign on with Project B, the six-team international 5×5 women’s basketball league expected to launch in November 2026.
The perennial MVP candidate who recently led the Phoenix Mercury to the 2025 WNBA Finals broke the news on social media, announcing that she “is looking forward to joining Project B.”
That Project B now claims Thomas and Nneka Ogwumike as the league’s first signings—two players that have accumulated combined resumes that include a WNBA MVP, WNBA championship, multiple WNBA Finals appearances, 12 All-WNBA selections, 16 WNBA All-Star nods and 14 WNBA All-Defense honors—signals its legitimacy.
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Thomas’ signing also suggests that she has elected to participate in Project B during the 2026-27 WNBA offseason, rather than Unrivaled. While Project B will not conflict with the WNBA calendar, its series of seven two-week tournaments, which will be held in major cities across Europe, Asia and the Americas, will overlap with the 3×3 league co-founded Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
Thomas’ decision to abandon Unrivaled for this new opportunity would seem to substantiate reporting that Project B’s compensation—with annual salaries estimated around $2 million plus an equity stake in the league—exceeds that of Unrivaled.
Alana Beard, the chief basketball officer for Project B, expressed excitement about Thomas’ commitment, saying to to the Associated Press:
Alyssa is the kind of player and person you build around. 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 player partnership and global competition that Project B stands for.
