Smith signs Project B deal after massive Wings payday

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• Alanna Smith turns $98K grind into $5.2M payday

WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith has today signed with the Lauren Jackson-backed Project B less than a week after inking the most lucrative contract by an Australian in WNBA history.

Smith, 29, joined the Dallas Wings on April 18, 2026 as a free agent on a three-year deal worth USD $3.75 million (approximately AUD $5.2 million).

Project B pays its marquee players more than USD $1M per season and Smith is now one of eight women's basketball stars to join Project B.

Smith’s move adds another major name to a growing list of talent committed to the startup competition, built around a touring model across multiple global cities.

https://www.basketball.com.au/news/inside-project-b-global-basketball-league-format-players-launch

> Inside Project B: Why world basketball is changing <

Confirmed Project B Signings

• Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings)
• Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks)
• Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix Mercury)
• Jewell Loyd (Las Vegas Aces)
• Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty)
• Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever)
• Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky)
• Justė Jocytė (Uni Girona CB of the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto)

Project B is a really positive addition to the global landscape, and it builds on the strength of existing domestic leagues around the world," Jackson told basketball.com.au

"Those leagues are the foundation of the game. They develop talent, create identity, and connect deeply with fans.

"Project B gives players more choice, more support, and another high-quality environment to grow, while staying rooted in those systems.

"For someone like Alanna, it means continuing to evolve at the highest level while remaining closely connected to Australian basketball and the broader international pathway."

Project B cofounder Grady Burnett told basketball.com.au in an exclusive interview the league would start in early 2027 with two cities already locked in – Tokyo and Valencia.

Burnett said Project B's first season would have six women's and men's teams with 11 players each (66) with an "annual draft" that means teams will be different season-on-season.

Smith's Project B deal comes after Australian Opals centre earned a share of the USD $600,000 prize pool for helping the Mist to the Unrivaled three-on-three championship in Miami in early March.

Smith had 11 points and six rebounds in almost 11 minutes as the Mist, led by 32 points from Breanna Stewart, beat the Phantom 80-74 despite 40 points from Los Angeles Sparks star Kelsey Plum.

Unrivaled was created by Stewart and Napheesa Collier in 2025 as another player-led league for the world's best women's basketballers.

Alanna Smith Total WNBA Earnings (7 seasons):

• Rookie (2019–2022): $219,235
• 2022 deal: $72,141
• 2023 deal: $100,000
• 2024–2025 deal: $300,000

> Total: $691,376
> Average per year: ~$98,768

New CBA Era Deal (2026–2028)

• ‍3 years / $3,748,500 >$1,249,500 average per year (fully guaranteed)

The Australian Opals Olympic Games bronze medallist was the cornerstone of the Minnesota Lynx and came within a game of winning the 2024 WNBA championship before falling to Sandy Brondello’s New York Liberty and an epic five-game series.

"As the reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year, she is one of the top two-way players in the WNBA who consistently impacts both sides of the ball," Wings general manager Curt Miller said in a statement.

"From a defensive standpoint, Alanna gives our coaching staff unbelievable versatility – she can play multiple coverages and drastically affect shots around the paint. Offensively – we are excited to pair her with our outstanding guards, showcasing her ability to play inside or outside."

Smith joins forces with WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers on the Wings, who have the No1 pick in (AEST) tomorrow's WNBA Draft.

“It’s hard to put into words what my time in Minnesota has meant to me,” Smith wrote on Instagram.

“This team and this city embraced me, and I am so grateful for all the love and support and how this Aussie girl was welcomed with open arms.

“Forever will hold a special place in my heart.”

Smith is a 210-game seven-year WNBA veteran. She started her career with the Phoenix Mercury in 2019, signed with the Indiana Fever in 2022, the Chicago Sky in 2023, and the Lynx in 2024.

She is coming off the best season of her career.

WNBA Average (2025 Season)

Minutes: 26.5 │ Points: 9.6 │ FG: 48.5% │ 2PT FG: 63.3% │ 3PT FG: 32.9% │ FT: 47.7% │ Rebounds: 5.1 │ Assists: 2.9 │ Steals: 1.3 │ Blocks: 1.9

WNBA Snapshot

• Averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists across 42 games.
• Shot 48.5% from the field, including elite 63.3% on two-point attempts.
• Three-point volume increased to 3.8 attempts per game.
• Free-throw shooting dipped to 47.7% (0.7/1.5 per game).
• Defensive anchor — 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.
• Named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2025)