5
Nov
2026
Breaking News
Bibby's whirlwind 2026 rolls on with Project B
Australian Opals forward Chloe Bibby has signed with Project B. Photo: fiba.basketball
The Opals forward is one of four new signings for the equity-based league starting in January 2027
- Chloe Bibby is one of four players Project B announced overnight
- She joins Opals teammate Alanna Smith, who signed with the league in April
- Bibby joined the Minnesota Lynx in August, then played the World Cup
Opals forward Chloe Bibby has joined Australian teammate Alanna Smith in Project B.
Bibby, 28, was one of four players the new league announced overnight.
"Project B is bringing a fresh perspective to women's basketball, combining elite competition with culture, entertainment and a truly global stage," Bibby said.
"I'm looking forward to being part of this first season."
Smith signed with Project B in April. Australian Lauren Jackson is an advisor to Project B.
Czech international Veronika Voráčková, Nigerian-American forward Michaela Onyenwere and American veteran Nia Coffey are the other three players.
"Each of these players brings something special to Project B, from their competitive experience and versatility to their ambition to help grow the game globally," Chief Basketball Officer Alana Beard said.
"We're building a roster that showcases the depth of talent in women's basketball around the world, and we're excited to welcome Veronika, Michaela, Chloe and Nia as we prepare for our first season."
Minnesota Lynx signed Bibby in early August after she impressed during her time on a Development Player contract with the Chicago Sky. It was a full-circle moment for the 28-year-old forward after she made it to the later stages of training camp with Reeve and the Lynx back in 2022.
"(I was) just excited that Cheryl wanted me to come back, to be honest. I was like, really? Like, okay, that's exciting. I was just super excited," Bibby said in her first press conference since joining the 25-6 Lynx.
"Obviously, the standards are really high here, and it's championship standards, but I'm excited to be a part of that.
"This is a great organisation, and just over the years you can see, you know, it's like contending for championships every year."
The following month, Bibby played for the Opals at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup campaign, under head coach Sandy Brondello.
Confirmed Project B Signings
- Alanna Smith, Australia
- Alyssa Thomas, United States
- Angela Dugalić, Serbia
- Antonia Delaere, Belgium
- Awa Fam, Spain
- Azzi Fudd, United States
- Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, United States
- Brionna Jones, United States
- Chloe Bibby, Australia
- Eliška Joklová, Czech Republic
- Jewell Loyd, United States
- Jihyun Park, South Korea
- Jonquel Jones, Bahamas
- Justė Jocytė, Lithuania
- Kamilla Cardoso, Brazil
- Kelsey Mitchell, United States
- Leïla Lacan, France
- Leonie Fiebich, Germany
- Li Meng, China
- Mai Yamamoto, Japan
- Makayla Timpson, United States
- Mariona Ortiz, Spain
- Michaela Onyenwere, United States / Nigeria
- Nia Coffey, United States
- Nneka Ogwumike, United States / Nigeria
- Sophie Cunningham, United States
- Valériane Ayayi, France
- Veronika Voráčková, Czech Republic
Project B: 7 facts you need to know
- Global, player-first league: Built as a touring competition with players holding equity, not just contracts.
- Launch window set: First season targeted for late 2026, with opening tournament expected in January.
- Tournament format: Four teams, ~44 players, competing across multiple 10 to 14-day events in global cities.
- Annual draft system: Teams reset every year, with captains, coaches and GMs building rosters.
- Traditional basketball rules: Standard 5-on-5, FIBA-aligned, no gimmicks, pure on-court competition.
- Festival-style events: Each stop blends elite games with culture and city-based experiences.
- Australia in the frame: Not a Year 1 host, but Sydney and Melbourne are firmly on the roadmap.
Project B doesn't clash with the WNBA season but does with the WNBL and EuroLeague.
"We're talking about six men's teams, six women's teams, six tournaments a year," Project B co-founder Grady Burnett told basketball.com.au in an exclusive interview earlier this year.
"So you're talking about roughly 66 men's players, 66 women's players.
"There's plenty of room for this to succeed and grow.
"And also, we play in these other cities as well; it's a great way to grow attention and grow basketball and grow culture, tourism and other things in those cities too."
Jackson was appointed Special Advisor to the WNBL last year as part of the new ownership's takeover of the league. Her influence in both Project B and WNBL puts an Australian perspective at the heart of basketball's global growth.
"Being involved across competitions gives them perspective and the ability to help connect and strengthen the overall ecosystem," Jackson said.
"When players have a voice, it helps ensure alignment, supports sustainable growth, and reinforces the importance of domestic leagues as the foundation of the game."
